QCJL vs. BALQ

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QCJL (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QCJL charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

QCJL vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL) 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, QCJL achieves a 5.95% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 17.54% return.

QCJL

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.61%
• 6M: 5.48%
• YTD: 5.95%
• 1Y: 11.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BALQ

• 1D: -1.81%
• 1M: -2.86%
• 6M: 15.73%
• YTD: 17.54%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QCJL vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	5.95%	0.52%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	17.54%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between QCJL and BALQ is 0.85, 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 3, 2025	0.85

Return for Risk

QCJL vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCJL

QCJL Risk / Return Rank: 81
QCJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QCJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
QCJL Omega Ratio Rank: 86
QCJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
QCJL Martin Ratio Rank: 87

BALQ

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

QCJL vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL) 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.

	QCJL	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.55	—	—

Drawdowns

QCJL vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCJL drawdown since its inception was -11.18%, smaller than the maximum BALQ drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCJL and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCJL	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.18%	-11.79%	+0.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-4.56%	+4.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.01%	-2.47%	+1.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QCJL	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.43%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.14%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.54%	20.86%	-15.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.20%	20.86%	-11.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.20%	20.86%	-11.66%

QCJL vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCJL has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QCJL vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

QCJL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.12%.

Position	TTM	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	6.12%	0.95%
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCJL and BALQ in my portfolio?

QCJL and BALQ have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QCJL 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, QCJL or BALQ?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QCJL.

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 6.12%, compared with 0.00% for QCJL.

What is the main difference between QCJL and BALQ?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QCJL and 0.35% for BALQ.