IQQQ vs. BALQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQQQ (ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. IQQQ is passively managed, while BALQ is actively managed. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IQQQ charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

IQQQ vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) 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, IQQQ achieves a 18.72% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.89% return.

IQQQ

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 9.88%
• YTD: 18.72%
• 6M: 17.39%
• 1Y: 38.70%
• 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)

IQQQ vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	18.72%	-1.13%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%

Correlation

The correlation between IQQQ and BALQ is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.98

Return for Risk

IQQQ vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQQQ

IQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 70
IQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
IQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 69
IQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
IQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

IQQQ vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) 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.

	IQQQ	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.41	—	—
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

	IQQQ	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	2.81	-1.57

Drawdowns

IQQQ vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQQQ drawdown since its inception was -20.41%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQQQ and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQQQ	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.41%	-11.79%	-8.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.13%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.21%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-2.37%	-1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IQQQ	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.54%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.40%	18.03%	-2.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.57%	18.03%	+0.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	18.03%	+0.54%

IQQQ vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQQQ has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQQQ vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

IQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.42%, less than BALQ's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%	0.00%
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	4.42%	10.34%	7.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQQQ and BALQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, IQQQ 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, IQQQ 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, IQQQ or BALQ?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for IQQQ.

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 4.42% for IQQQ.

What is the main difference between IQQQ and BALQ?

They also come from different issuers: ProShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for IQQQ and 0.35% for BALQ.