BALQ vs. TSMY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and TSMY (YieldMax TSM Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while TSMY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. Both are actively managed. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for TSMY.

Performance

BALQ vs. TSMY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and YieldMax TSM Option Income Strategy ETF (TSMY). 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 lower than TSMY's 37.04% return.

BALQ

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

TSMY

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 7.48%
• YTD: 37.04%
• 6M: 39.21%
• 1Y: 92.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BALQ vs. TSMY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%
TSMY YieldMax TSM Option Income Strategy ETF	37.04%	1.58%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and TSMY is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.67

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. TSMY — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSMY

TSMY Risk / Return Rank: 88
TSMY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
TSMY Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
TSMY Omega Ratio Rank: 82
TSMY Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
TSMY Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. TSMY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and YieldMax TSM Option Income Strategy ETF (TSMY). 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	TSMY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.21	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.81	1.56	+1.26

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. TSMY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum TSMY drawdown of -31.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and TSMY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	TSMY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-31.15%	+19.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-15.50%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-1.37%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-5.51%	+3.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.17%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	TSMY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	9.52%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	22.68%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	28.87%	-10.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	33.22%	-15.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	33.22%	-15.19%

BALQ vs. TSMY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than TSMY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. TSMY - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, less than TSMY's 52.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%	0.00%
TSMY YieldMax TSM Option Income Strategy ETF	52.19%	56.76%	13.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and TSMY in my portfolio?

BALQ and TSMY have a correlation of 0.67, 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 TSMY?

On fees, BALQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALQ or TSMY?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for TSMY.

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

TSMY has the higher dividend yield at 52.19%, compared with 4.59% for BALQ.

What is the main difference between BALQ and TSMY?

BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while TSMY is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: iShares and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 0.99% for TSMY.