BALQ vs. WNTR

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) and WNTR (YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by iShares, while WNTR is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. Both are actively managed. At a correlation of -0.51, they often move in opposite directions. BALQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 1.01%/yr for WNTR.

Performance

BALQ vs. WNTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALQ achieves a 17.95% return, which is significantly higher than WNTR's 10.46% return.

BALQ

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: -0.66%
• YTD: 17.95%
• 6M: 16.38%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

WNTR

• 1D: 6.01%
• 1M: 37.47%
• YTD: 10.46%
• 6M: 14.06%
• 1Y: 97.02%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BALQ vs. WNTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	17.95%	0.04%
WNTR YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	10.46%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between BALQ and WNTR is -0.51, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2025	-0.51

Return for Risk

BALQ vs. WNTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BALQ

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

WNTR

WNTR Risk / Return Rank: 51
WNTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
WNTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
WNTR Omega Ratio Rank: 52
WNTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
WNTR Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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. WNTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) and YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). 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	WNTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.85	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.20	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.30	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.29	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	5.85	—

Drawdowns

BALQ vs. WNTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALQ drawdown since its inception was -11.79%, smaller than the maximum WNTR drawdown of -42.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALQ and WNTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALQ	WNTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-42.65%	+30.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-42.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.23%	-9.88%	+5.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.42%	-20.93%	+18.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	16.70%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BALQ	WNTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	17.54%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	45.99%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.56%	52.83%	-32.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.56%	53.10%	-32.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.56%	53.10%	-32.54%

BALQ vs. WNTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than WNTR's 1.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALQ vs. WNTR - Dividend Comparison

BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.78%, less than WNTR's 96.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.78%	0.95%
WNTR YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	96.66%	58.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALQ and WNTR in my portfolio?

BALQ and WNTR have a correlation of -0.51, 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 WNTR?

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 WNTR?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for WNTR.

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

WNTR has the higher dividend yield at 96.66%, compared with 4.78% for BALQ.

What is the main difference between BALQ and WNTR?

BALQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while WNTR is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: iShares and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALQ and 1.01% for WNTR.