FTQI vs. BALQ
FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. FTQI is passively managed, while BALQ is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTQI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.
Performance
FTQI vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTQI achieves a 11.03% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.35% return.
FTQI
- 1D
- 0.23%
- 1M
- 4.05%
- YTD
- 11.03%
- 6M
- 11.53%
- 1Y
- 28.07%
- 3Y*
- 17.30%
- 5Y*
- 10.97%
- 10Y*
- 8.00%
BALQ
- 1D
- -0.44%
- 1M
- 9.03%
- YTD
- 22.35%
- 6M
- 21.90%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FTQI vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF | 11.03% | 0.79% |
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 22.35% | -0.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTQI and BALQ is 0.89, 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 | 0.89 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
FTQI vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank
FTQI
BALQ
FTQI vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) 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.
| FTQI | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.52 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.52 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 21.94 | — | — |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FTQI | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.73 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.74 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.60 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.53 | 2.72 | -2.19 |
Drawdowns
FTQI vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTQI drawdown since its inception was -19.42%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTQI and BALQ.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FTQI | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.42% | -11.79% | -7.63% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.24% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.42% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.42% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.42% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.65% | +0.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.75% | -2.36% | -1.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.28% | — | — |
Volatility
FTQI vs. BALQ - Volatility Comparison
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FTQI | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.66% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.24% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.33% | 17.97% | -7.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.81% | 17.97% | -3.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.35% | 17.97% | -4.62% |
FTQI vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTQI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTQI vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison
FTQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.94%, more than BALQ's 4.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 4.61% | 0.95% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF | 10.94% | 11.46% | 11.66% | 11.49% | 9.85% | 3.05% | 3.27% | 2.95% | 3.27% | 2.74% | 3.02% | 3.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTQI and BALQ have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
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.
BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.
FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 10.94%, compared with 4.61% for BALQ.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FTQI and 0.35% for BALQ.
Find the right allocation for FTQI and BALQ
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer