QQEW vs. BALQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQEW (First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QQEW is passively managed, while BALQ is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQEW charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

QQEW vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) 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, QQEW achieves a 12.15% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.89% return.

QQEW

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 14.51%
• YTD: 12.15%
• 6M: 10.58%
• 1Y: 20.94%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 8.78%
• 10Y*: 14.57%

BALQ

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 11.15%
• YTD: 22.89%
• 6M: 22.29%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQEW vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	12.15%	-1.40%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%

Correlation

The correlation between QQEW and BALQ is 0.82, 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 4, 2025	0.82

Return for Risk

QQEW vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQEW

QQEW Risk / Return Rank: 31
QQEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
QQEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
QQEW Omega Ratio Rank: 32
QQEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
QQEW Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

QQEW vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) 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.

	QQEW	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.34	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.09	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QQEW	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	2.81	-2.28

Drawdowns

QQEW vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQEW drawdown since its inception was -58.16%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQEW and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQEW	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.16%	-11.79%	-46.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.74%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.43%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.12%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.12%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-0.21%	-1.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.30%	-2.37%	-5.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.13%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QQEW	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.54%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.85%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.81%	18.03%	-1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	18.03%	+2.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.87%	18.03%	+2.84%

QQEW vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQEW has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQEW vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

QQEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, less than BALQ's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	0.28%	0.41%	0.57%	0.70%	0.66%	0.24%	0.34%	0.48%	0.56%	0.48%	0.73%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQEW and BALQ in my portfolio?

QQEW and BALQ have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QQEW 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, QQEW or BALQ?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for QQEW.

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

BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 0.28% for QQEW.

What is the main difference between QQEW and BALQ?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for QQEW and 0.35% for BALQ.