CPNJ vs. BALQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CPNJ (Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - June) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Both are actively managed. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CPNJ charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

CPNJ vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - June (CPNJ) 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, CPNJ achieves a 2.52% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.89% return.

CPNJ

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 2.52%
• 6M: 2.99%
• 1Y: 6.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 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)

CPNJ vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CPNJ Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - June	2.52%	0.46%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%

Correlation

The correlation between CPNJ and BALQ is 0.76, 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	0.76

Return for Risk

CPNJ vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPNJ

CPNJ Risk / Return Rank: 94
CPNJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
CPNJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
CPNJ Omega Ratio Rank: 95
CPNJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
CPNJ Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

CPNJ vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - June (CPNJ) 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.

	CPNJ	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.36	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.45	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.74	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.39	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	37.29	—	—
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

	CPNJ	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.36	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.63	2.81	-1.19

Drawdowns

CPNJ vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPNJ drawdown since its inception was -5.99%, smaller than the maximum BALQ drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPNJ and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPNJ	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-11.79%	+5.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.21%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.42%	-2.37%	+1.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.18%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	CPNJ	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.19%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.49%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03%	18.03%	-16.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.08%	18.03%	-12.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.08%	18.03%	-12.95%

CPNJ vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPNJ has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPNJ vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

CPNJ 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%
CPNJ Calamos Nasdaq-100 Structured Alt Protection ETF - June	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPNJ and BALQ in my portfolio?

CPNJ and BALQ have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, CPNJ 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, CPNJ or BALQ?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for CPNJ.

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

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

What is the main difference between CPNJ and BALQ?

They also come from different issuers: Calamos and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for CPNJ and 0.35% for BALQ.