QCJL vs. BALQ

Last updated Jun 26, 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 0.91 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 5.23% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 19.03% return.

QCJL

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 5.23%
• 6M: 4.94%
• 1Y: 12.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BALQ

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 19.03%
• 6M: 17.44%
• 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	5.23%	0.52%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	19.03%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between QCJL and BALQ is 0.91, 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	0.91

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: 82
QCJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QCJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QCJL Omega Ratio Rank: 85
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	2.26	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.16	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.11	—	—

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	-0.16%	-3.35%	+3.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.04%	-2.42%	+1.38%
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	0.72%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.19%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.58%	20.52%	-14.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.33%	20.52%	-11.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.33%	20.52%	-11.19%

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 4.74%.

Position	TTM	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.74%	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?

With a correlation of 0.91, QCJL 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, 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 4.74%, 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.