QDTY vs. BALQ

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QDTY (YieldMax Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QDTY charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

QDTY vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (QDTY) 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, QDTY achieves a 10.88% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 17.54% return.

QDTY

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: -2.22%
• 6M: 9.59%
• YTD: 10.88%
• 1Y: 24.28%
• 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)

QDTY vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QDTY YieldMax Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	10.88%	0.43%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	17.54%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between QDTY and BALQ is 0.93, 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	0.93

Return for Risk

QDTY vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDTY

QDTY Risk / Return Rank: 49
QDTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
QDTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
QDTY Omega Ratio Rank: 46
QDTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
QDTY Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

QDTY vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (QDTY) 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.

	QDTY	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.42	—	—

Drawdowns

QDTY vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDTY drawdown since its inception was -23.45%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDTY and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDTY	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.45%	-11.79%	-11.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.72%	-4.56%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.39%	-2.47%	-1.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.28%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QDTY	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.32%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.80%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.77%	20.86%	-3.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.10%	20.86%	+5.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.10%	20.86%	+5.24%

QDTY vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDTY has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDTY vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

QDTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 34.71%, more than BALQ's 6.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	6.12%	0.95%
QDTY YieldMax Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	34.71%	26.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDTY and BALQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, QDTY 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, QDTY 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, QDTY or BALQ?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for QDTY.

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

QDTY has the higher dividend yield at 34.71%, compared with 6.12% for BALQ.

What is the main difference between QDTY and BALQ?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for QDTY and 0.35% for BALQ.