BALQ vs. NJUL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and NJUL (Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. BALQ is actively managed, while NJUL is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for NJUL.

Performance

BALQ vs. NJUL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July (NJUL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 22.35% return, which is significantly higher than NJUL's 6.17% return.

BALQ

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 9.03%
• YTD: 22.35%
• 6M: 21.90%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NJUL

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 1.18%
• YTD: 6.17%
• 6M: 6.62%
• 1Y: 18.48%
• 3Y*: 14.96%
• 5Y*: 10.86%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BALQ vs. NJUL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.35%	-0.49%
NJUL Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July	6.17%	0.23%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and NJUL is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.92

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. NJUL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

NJUL

NJUL Risk / Return Rank: 80
NJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
NJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
NJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 82
NJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
NJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BALQ vs. NJUL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July (NJUL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BALQ	NJUL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.94	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.72	1.01	+1.71

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. NJUL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum NJUL drawdown of -14.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and NJUL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	NJUL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-14.37%	+2.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-4.93%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.58%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.65%	0.00%	-0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.36%	-2.31%	-0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.96%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	NJUL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.37%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	5.32%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.97%	7.68%	+10.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.97%	11.56%	+6.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.97%	11.06%	+6.91%

BALQ vs. NJUL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than NJUL's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. NJUL - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, while NJUL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.61%	0.95%
NJUL Innovator Nasdaq-100 Power Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and NJUL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, BALQ and NJUL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, BALQ or NJUL?

On fees, BALQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or NJUL?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for NJUL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BALQ or NJUL?

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.61%, compared with 0.00% for NJUL.

What is the main difference between BALQ and NJUL?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.79% for NJUL.