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 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FTQI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.
Performance
FTQI vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTQI achieves a 14.01% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 20.79% return.
FTQI
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- 0.97%
- 6M
- 14.35%
- YTD
- 14.01%
- 1Y
- 25.27%
- 3Y*
- 17.45%
- 5Y*
- 12.21%
- 10Y*
- 8.38%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.14%
BALQ
- 1D
- -0.68%
- 1M
- 0.75%
- 6M
- 21.94%
- YTD
- 20.79%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $290.28K | $234.43K | $183.19K | |
| $11.50M | $8.69M | $6.02M |
FTQI vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF | 14.01% | 0.98% |
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 20.79% | 0.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTQI and BALQ is 0.90, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2025 | 0.90 |
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Return for Risk
FTQI vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank
FTQI
BALQ
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
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.
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.
| FTQI | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.07 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.34 | — | — |
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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.
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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 | -0.18% | -1.92% | +1.74% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.72% | -2.71% | -1.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.38% | — | — |
Volatility
FTQI vs. BALQ - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| FTQI | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.82% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.19% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.24% | 21.68% | -10.44% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.80% | 21.68% | -6.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.94% | 21.68% | -8.74% |
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 11.03%, more than BALQ's 6.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 6.92% | 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 | 11.03% | 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
With a correlation of 0.90, FTQI 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.
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 11.03%, compared with 6.92% 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.
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