QQEW vs. BALQ
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 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQEW charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.
Performance
QQEW vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QQEW achieves a 7.88% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 17.95% return.
QQEW
- 1D
- 0.22%
- 1M
- 1.83%
- YTD
- 7.88%
- 6M
- 6.21%
- 1Y
- 13.84%
- 3Y*
- 14.41%
- 5Y*
- 7.23%
- 10Y*
- 14.72%
BALQ
- 1D
- -0.54%
- 1M
- -0.66%
- YTD
- 17.95%
- 6M
- 16.38%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QQEW vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund | 7.88% | -0.33% |
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 17.95% | 0.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between QQEW and BALQ is 0.84, 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 | 0.84 |
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Return for Risk
QQEW vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank
QQEW
BALQ
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
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.
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.
| QQEW | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.88 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.64 | — | — |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QQEW | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.28% | -4.23% | -1.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.29% | -2.42% | -5.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.26% | — | — |
Volatility
QQEW vs. BALQ - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| QQEW | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.81% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.28% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.97% | 20.56% | -2.59% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.96% | 20.56% | +0.40% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.92% | 20.56% | +0.36% |
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 0.29%, less than BALQ's 4.78% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 4.78% | 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 | 0.29% | 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
QQEW and BALQ have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
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.
BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for QQEW.
BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.78%, compared with 0.29% for QQEW.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for QQEW and 0.35% for BALQ.
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