BKT vs. JEPQ

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

BKT (BlackRock Income Trust) and JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) are both funds - BKT is a fund fund managed by BlackRock, while JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index. Over the past 3 years, BKT returned 4.32%/yr vs 18.48%/yr for JEPQ. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKT charges 2.06%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for JEPQ.

Performance

BKT vs. JEPQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Income Trust (BKT) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKT achieves a 0.35% return, which is significantly lower than JEPQ's 7.89% return.

BKT

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 0.46%
• 6M: -0.46%
• YTD: 0.35%
• 1Y: -0.18%
• 3Y*: 4.32%
• 5Y*: -3.03%
• 10Y*: 1.19%

JEPQ

• 1D: -1.43%
• 1M: -1.48%
• 6M: 6.48%
• YTD: 7.89%
• 1Y: 20.98%
• 3Y*: 18.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BKT vs. JEPQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BKT BlackRock Income Trust	0.35%	5.92%	3.33%	7.69%	-5.34%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	7.89%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-11.16%

Correlation

The correlation between BKT and JEPQ is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2022	0.20

Return for Risk

BKT vs. JEPQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKT

BKT Risk / Return Rank: 3
BKT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
BKT Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BKT Omega Ratio Rank: 3
BKT Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
BKT Martin Ratio Rank: 3

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 60
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 59
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

BKT vs. JEPQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Income Trust (BKT) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). 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.

	BKT	JEPQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.03	1.52	-1.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.01	2.08	-2.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.29	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.03	2.39	-2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.06	10.98	-11.04

BKT vs. JEPQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKT Sharpe Ratio is -0.03, which is lower than the JEPQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKT and JEPQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BKT vs. JEPQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKT drawdown since its inception was -48.86%, which is greater than JEPQ's maximum drawdown of -20.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKT and JEPQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKT	JEPQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.86%	-20.07%	-28.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	-8.82%	+2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.89%	-20.07%	+8.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.70%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.70%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.28%	-2.57%	-14.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.76%	-3.37%	-11.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.97%	1.92%	+1.05%

Volatility

BKT vs. JEPQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Income Trust (BKT) is 2.66%, while JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) has a volatility of 5.76%. This indicates that BKT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JEPQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BKT	JEPQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.66%	5.76%	-3.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.38%	11.42%	-6.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.03%	13.83%	-6.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.18%	16.82%	-5.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.75%	16.82%	-7.07%

BKT vs. JEPQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKT has a 2.06% expense ratio, which is higher than JEPQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

BKT vs. JEPQ - Dividend Comparison

BKT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.11%, less than JEPQ's 10.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BKT BlackRock Income Trust	10.11%	9.53%	9.19%	8.69%	8.35%	7.31%	6.80%	6.82%	6.48%	5.15%	5.09%	5.89%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.57%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKT and JEPQ in my portfolio?

BKT and JEPQ have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BKT or JEPQ?

JEPQ has higher volatility (5.76%) compared to BKT (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKT dropped -48.86% vs JEPQ's -20.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JEPQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs -0.03), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.