BALQ vs. SPIN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and SPIN (State Street US Equity Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while SPIN is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for SPIN.

Performance

BALQ vs. SPIN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and State Street US Equity Premium Income ETF (SPIN). 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 SPIN's 2.91% return.

BALQ

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

SPIN

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 2.52%
• YTD: 2.91%
• 6M: 3.47%
• 1Y: 19.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BALQ vs. SPIN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%
SPIN State Street US Equity Premium Income ETF	2.91%	0.55%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and SPIN is 0.87, 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	0.87

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. SPIN — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPIN

SPIN Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
SPIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SPIN Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
SPIN Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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. SPIN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and State Street US Equity Premium Income ETF (SPIN). 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	SPIN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.81	0.95	+1.87

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. SPIN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum SPIN drawdown of -16.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and SPIN.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	SPIN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-16.85%	+5.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.40%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-2.29%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.35%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	SPIN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.82%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.03%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	10.49%	+7.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	14.33%	+3.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	14.33%	+3.70%

BALQ vs. SPIN - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPIN's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. SPIN - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, less than SPIN's 5.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%	0.00%
SPIN State Street US Equity Premium Income ETF	5.64%	8.20%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and SPIN in my portfolio?

BALQ and SPIN have a correlation of 0.87, 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 SPIN?

On fees, SPIN is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or SPIN?

SPIN is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.

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

SPIN has the higher dividend yield at 5.64%, compared with 4.59% for BALQ.

What is the main difference between BALQ and SPIN?

BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SPIN is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.25% for SPIN.