BALQ vs. TCAL

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF (TCAL).

BALQ and TCAL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BALQ is an actively managed fund by iShares. It was launched on Dec 2, 2025. TCAL is an actively managed fund by T. Rowe Price. It was launched on Mar 26, 2025.

Performance

BALQ vs. TCAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF (TCAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BALQ vs. TCAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	-4.98%	-0.49%
TCAL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF	-2.47%	-0.09%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a -4.98% return, which is significantly lower than TCAL's -2.47% return.

BALQ

• 1D: 3.62%
• 1M: -4.81%
• YTD: -4.98%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TCAL

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: -5.52%
• YTD: -2.47%
• 6M: -2.85%
• 1Y: -1.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BALQ vs. TCAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than TCAL's 0.34% expense ratio.

BALQ

iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF

TCAL

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. TCAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCAL

TCAL Risk / Return Rank: 9
TCAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
TCAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
TCAL Omega Ratio Rank: 8
TCAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
TCAL Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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. TCAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF (TCAL). 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	TCAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	-0.12	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.89	-0.08	-0.81

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and TCAL is 0.26, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

BALQ vs. TCAL - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%, less than TCAL's 11.74% yield.

	TTM	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	2.71%	0.95%
TCAL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF	11.74%	8.34%

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. TCAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, which is greater than TCAL's maximum drawdown of -7.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and TCAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	TCAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-7.24%	-4.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.60%	-5.52%	-3.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.03%	-1.59%	-1.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.13%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	TCAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.36%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.61%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.38%	11.70%	+6.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.38%	11.68%	+6.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.38%	11.68%	+6.70%