BALQ vs. TLT
BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. BALQ is actively managed, while TLT is passively managed. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.
Performance
BALQ vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 18.59% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's 0.77% return.
BALQ
- 1D
- -3.11%
- 1M
- -0.12%
- YTD
- 18.59%
- 6M
- 17.39%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
TLT
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 2.20%
- YTD
- 0.77%
- 6M
- 0.38%
- 1Y
- 3.87%
- 3Y*
- -1.89%
- 5Y*
- -6.59%
- 10Y*
- -1.74%
BALQ vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 18.59% | 0.04% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 0.77% | -1.48% |
Correlation
The correlation between BALQ and TLT is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2025 | 0.30 |
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Return for Risk
BALQ vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank
BALQ
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
TLT
BALQ vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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 | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.07 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 0.51 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 1.22 | — |
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Drawdowns
BALQ vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and TLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BALQ | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -11.79% | -48.35% | +36.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -7.58% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -19.18% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -43.70% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -48.35% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.71% | -39.82% | +36.11% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.40% | -13.87% | +11.47% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 3.18% | — |
Volatility
BALQ vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| BALQ | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 2.20% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 6.62% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.62% | 9.48% | +11.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.62% | 15.82% | +4.80% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.62% | 14.88% | +5.74% |
BALQ vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
BALQ vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.76%, more than TLT's 4.54% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 4.76% | 0.95% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 4.54% | 4.43% | 4.30% | 3.38% | 2.67% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 2.27% | 2.63% | 2.43% | 2.60% | 2.61% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BALQ and TLT have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.
BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.76%, compared with 4.54% for TLT.
BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while TLT is Government Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.15% for TLT.
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