BALQ vs. QQQM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. BALQ is actively managed, while QQQM is passively managed. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QQQM.

Performance

BALQ vs. QQQM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 22.89% return, which is significantly higher than QQQM's 21.39% return.

BALQ

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 11.15%
• YTD: 22.89%
• 6M: 22.29%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQM

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 10.67%
• YTD: 21.39%
• 6M: 19.75%
• 1Y: 41.98%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

BALQ vs. QQQM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	21.39%	-1.35%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and QQQM is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.99

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. QQQM — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQM

QQQM Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQM Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQM Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. QQQM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). 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	QQQM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.81	0.85	+1.97

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. QQQM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum QQQM drawdown of -35.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and QQQM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	QQQM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-35.04%	+23.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-11.96%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.70%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.04%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.20%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-8.25%	+5.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.11%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	QQQM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.48%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.05%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	15.91%	+2.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	22.24%	-4.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	22.12%	-4.09%

BALQ vs. QQQM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQM's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. QQQM - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than QQQM's 0.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.41%	0.50%	0.61%	0.65%	0.83%	0.40%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and QQQM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, BALQ and QQQM 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 QQQM?

On fees, QQQM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or QQQM?

QQQM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 0.41% for QQQM.

What is the main difference between BALQ and QQQM?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.15% for QQQM.