BALQ vs. SGOV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while SGOV is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. BALQ is actively managed, while SGOV is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.17, they often move in opposite directions. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SGOV.

Performance

BALQ vs. SGOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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 SGOV's 1.51% return.

BALQ

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

SGOV

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.51%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: 4.72%
• 5Y*: 3.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

BALQ vs. SGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	1.51%	0.29%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and SGOV is -0.17, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	-0.17

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. SGOV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGOV

SGOV Risk / Return Rank: 100
SGOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Omega Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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. SGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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	SGOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	20.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	14.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.81	12.48	-9.67

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. SGOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, which is greater than SGOV's maximum drawdown of -0.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and SGOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	SGOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-0.03%	-11.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.01%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.01%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.03%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	0.00%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-0.00%	-2.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.00%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	SGOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.05%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.13%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	0.20%	+17.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	0.24%	+17.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	0.24%	+17.79%

BALQ vs. SGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SGOV's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. SGOV - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than SGOV's 3.86% 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%
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	3.86%	4.10%	5.10%	4.87%	1.45%	0.03%	0.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and SGOV in my portfolio?

BALQ and SGOV have a correlation of -0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BALQ or SGOV?

On fees, SGOV is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or SGOV?

SGOV is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 3.86% for SGOV.

What is the main difference between BALQ and SGOV?

BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SGOV is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.09% for SGOV.