QBUF vs. BALQ
QBUF (Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QBUF is passively managed, while BALQ is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QBUF charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.
Performance
QBUF vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QBUF achieves a 3.75% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 18.43% return.
QBUF
- 1D
- 0.84%
- 1M
- 0.01%
- 6M
- 2.65%
- YTD
- 3.75%
- 1Y
- 9.46%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 10.01%
BALQ
- 1D
- 1.88%
- 1M
- 0.07%
- 6M
- 14.80%
- YTD
- 18.43%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $313.33K | $255.38K | $181.78K | |
| $840.97K | $1.01M | $957.50K |
QBUF vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly | 3.75% | 0.01% |
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 18.43% | 0.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between QBUF and BALQ is 0.83, 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 | 0.83 |
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Return for Risk
QBUF vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank
QBUF
BALQ
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
QBUF vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (QBUF) 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.
| QBUF | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.38 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.08 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
QBUF vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QBUF drawdown since its inception was -8.84%, smaller than the maximum BALQ drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QBUF and BALQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QBUF | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.84% | -11.79% | +2.95% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.99% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.17% | -3.83% | +2.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.83% | -2.73% | +1.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.86% | — | — |
Volatility
QBUF vs. BALQ - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| QBUF | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.33% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.63% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.14% | 21.56% | -15.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.45% | 21.56% | -13.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.45% | 21.56% | -13.11% |
QBUF vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
QBUF has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
QBUF vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison
QBUF has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.05%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 7.05% | 0.95% |
QBUF Innovator Nasdaq-100 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QBUF and BALQ have a correlation of 0.83, 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 0.79% for QBUF.
BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 7.05%, compared with 0.00% for QBUF.
They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QBUF and 0.35% for BALQ.
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