BALQ vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

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 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.

Performance

BALQ vs. TLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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 TLT's -0.27% return.

BALQ

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

TLT

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: -0.27%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 4.93%
• 3Y*: -1.80%
• 5Y*: -6.31%
• 10Y*: -1.66%

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

BALQ vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	-0.27%	-1.75%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and TLT is 0.33, 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 4, 2025	0.33

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLT

TLT Risk / Return Rank: 16
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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. 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BALQ	TLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.81	0.26	+2.56

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest 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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-40.44%	+40.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-13.82%	+11.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.04%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.76%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	6.50%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	9.77%	+8.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	15.87%	+2.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	14.91%	+3.12%

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 4.59%, which matches TLT's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	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	4.59%	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

Can I hold both BALQ and TLT in my portfolio?

BALQ and TLT have a correlation of 0.33, 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 TLT?

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.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or TLT?

TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.

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

BALQ and TLT have nearly identical dividend yields, around 4.59%.

What is the main difference between BALQ and 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.