QDEC vs. BALQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QDEC (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Both are actively managed. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QDEC charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

QDEC vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) 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, QDEC achieves a 7.96% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 18.59% return.

QDEC

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: -0.54%
• YTD: 7.96%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 22.88%
• 3Y*: 16.64%
• 5Y*: 10.15%
• 10Y*: —

BALQ

• 1D: -3.11%
• 1M: -0.12%
• YTD: 18.59%
• 6M: 17.39%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QDEC vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	7.96%	1.42%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	18.59%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEC and BALQ is 0.96 - 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 3, 2025	0.96

Return for Risk

QDEC vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDEC

QDEC Risk / Return Rank: 76
QDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
QDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
QDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
QDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

QDEC vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) 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.

	QDEC	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.26	—	—

Drawdowns

QDEC vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEC drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEC and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEC	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-11.79%	-13.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.08%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.25%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.65%	-3.71%	+2.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-2.40%	-2.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QDEC	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.91%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.17%	20.62%	-10.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.75%	20.62%	-5.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.60%	20.62%	-6.02%

QDEC vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

QDEC vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

QDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.76%.

Position	TTM	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.76%	0.95%
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDEC and BALQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, QDEC 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, QDEC 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, QDEC or BALQ?

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

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.76%, compared with 0.00% for QDEC.

What is the main difference between QDEC and BALQ?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QDEC and 0.35% for BALQ.