QQQ vs. BALQ
QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QQQ is passively managed, while BALQ is actively managed. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.
Performance
QQQ vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 16.45% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 18.59% return.
QQQ
- 1D
- -3.29%
- 1M
- -0.43%
- YTD
- 16.45%
- 6M
- 14.99%
- 1Y
- 34.88%
- 3Y*
- 26.05%
- 5Y*
- 16.01%
- 10Y*
- 22.07%
BALQ
- 1D
- -3.11%
- 1M
- -0.12%
- YTD
- 18.59%
- 6M
- 17.39%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QQQ vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 16.45% | -1.11% |
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 18.59% | 0.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between QQQ and BALQ is 0.99 - 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 | 0.99 |
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Return for Risk
QQQ vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank
QQQ
BALQ
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
QQQ vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) 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.
| QQQ | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.93 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.86 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
QQQ vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and BALQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QQQ | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.97% | -11.79% | -71.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.96% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.77% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.12% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.12% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.25% | -3.71% | -0.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.73% | -2.40% | -30.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.22% | — | — |
Volatility
QQQ vs. BALQ - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| QQQ | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.17% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.57% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.96% | 20.62% | -2.66% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.69% | 20.62% | +2.07% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.42% | 20.62% | +1.80% |
QQQ vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
QQQ vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison
QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, less than BALQ's 4.76% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 4.76% | 0.95% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.43% | 0.45% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.43% | 0.55% | 0.74% | 0.91% | 0.84% | 1.06% | 0.99% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, QQQ 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.
On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BALQ.
BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.76%, compared with 0.43% for QQQ.
They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.35% for BALQ.
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