BALQ vs. QTEC
BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. BALQ is actively managed, while QTEC is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for QTEC.
Performance
BALQ vs. QTEC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 17.54% return, which is significantly lower than QTEC's 32.07% return.
BALQ
- 1D
- -1.81%
- 1M
- -2.86%
- 6M
- 15.73%
- YTD
- 17.54%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QTEC
- 1D
- -2.73%
- 1M
- -6.22%
- 6M
- 28.27%
- YTD
- 32.07%
- 1Y
- 41.63%
- 3Y*
- 25.33%
- 5Y*
- 14.69%
- 10Y*
- 21.34%
BALQ vs. QTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 17.54% | 0.04% |
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund | 32.07% | -1.27% |
Correlation
The correlation between BALQ and QTEC is 0.91, 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 3, 2025 | 0.91 |
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Return for Risk
BALQ vs. QTEC — Risk / Return Rank
BALQ
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
QTEC
BALQ vs. QTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| BALQ | QTEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.26 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 2.61 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 7.91 | — |
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Drawdowns
BALQ vs. QTEC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum QTEC drawdown of -58.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and QTEC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BALQ | QTEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -11.79% | -58.86% | +47.07% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -16.03% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -29.00% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -45.54% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -45.54% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.56% | -9.44% | +4.88% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.47% | -9.86% | +7.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 5.28% | — |
Volatility
BALQ vs. QTEC - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| BALQ | QTEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 11.26% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 23.41% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.86% | 27.47% | -6.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.86% | 29.95% | -9.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.86% | 27.82% | -6.96% |
BALQ vs. QTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison
BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than QTEC's 0.57% expense ratio.
Dividends
BALQ vs. QTEC - Dividend Comparison
BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.12%, more than QTEC's 0.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 6.12% | 0.95% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.14% | 0.15% | 0.02% | 0.44% | 0.68% | 0.91% | 0.80% | 1.29% | 0.99% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, BALQ and QTEC 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.
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.
BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for QTEC.
BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 6.12%, compared with 0.01% for QTEC.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.57% for QTEC.
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