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 21.30% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.89% return.
QQQ
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- 10.60%
- YTD
- 21.30%
- 6M
- 19.66%
- 1Y
- 41.82%
- 3Y*
- 28.78%
- 5Y*
- 17.97%
- 10Y*
- 21.94%
BALQ
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- 11.15%
- YTD
- 22.89%
- 6M
- 22.29%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QQQ vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 21.30% | -1.35% |
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 22.89% | -0.49% |
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 4, 2025 | 0.99 |
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Return for Risk
QQQ vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank
QQQ
BALQ
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.
| QQQ | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.51 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.49 | — | — |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QQQ | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.64 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.81 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.99 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.41 | 2.81 | -2.40 |
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 | -0.26% | -0.21% | -0.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.79% | -2.37% | -30.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.11% | — | — |
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 | 4.49% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.10% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.94% | 18.03% | -2.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.38% | 18.03% | +4.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.29% | 18.03% | +4.26% |
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 0.38%, 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% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.38% | 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 4.59%, compared with 0.38% 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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