BUFQ vs. BALQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFQ (FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. BUFQ is passively managed, while BALQ is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFQ charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

BUFQ vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFQ achieves a 9.53% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.89% return.

BUFQ

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 9.53%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 21.61%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BALQ

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

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

BUFQ vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	9.53%	0.56%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFQ and BALQ is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.94

Return for Risk

BUFQ vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUFQ

BUFQ Risk / Return Rank: 84
BUFQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BUFQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BUFQ Omega Ratio Rank: 85
BUFQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BUFQ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

BUFQ vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF (BUFQ) and iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ). 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.

	BUFQ	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.88	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.03	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.34	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUFQ	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.42	2.81	-1.39

Drawdowns

BUFQ vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFQ drawdown since its inception was -15.74%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFQ and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFQ	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.74%	-11.79%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.39%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.74%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.21%	+0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.31%	-2.37%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BUFQ	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.42%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.31%	18.03%	-9.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.35%	18.03%	-4.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.35%	18.03%	-4.68%

BUFQ vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFQ has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFQ vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

BUFQ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%.

Position	TTM	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%
BUFQ FT Vest Laddered Nasdaq Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFQ and BALQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, BUFQ and BALQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, BUFQ or BALQ?

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, BUFQ or BALQ?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BUFQ.

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 0.00% for BUFQ.

What is the main difference between BUFQ and BALQ?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for BUFQ and 0.35% for BALQ.