QQQE vs. BALQ
QQQE (Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QQQE is passively managed, while BALQ is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.
Performance
QQQE vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QQQE achieves a 19.12% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.89% return.
QQQE
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- 10.46%
- YTD
- 19.12%
- 6M
- 17.48%
- 1Y
- 28.68%
- 3Y*
- 18.69%
- 5Y*
- 10.30%
- 10Y*
- 15.49%
BALQ
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- 11.15%
- YTD
- 22.89%
- 6M
- 22.29%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QQQE vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares | 19.12% | -1.38% |
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 22.89% | -0.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between QQQE and BALQ is 0.86, 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 | 0.87 |
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Return for Risk
QQQE vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank
QQQE
BALQ
QQQE vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) 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.
| QQQE | 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 | 3.06 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.57 | — | — |
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
| QQQE | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.04 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.51 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.75 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.76 | 2.81 | -2.05 |
Drawdowns
QQQE vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QQQE drawdown since its inception was -32.14%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQE and BALQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QQQE | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.14% | -11.79% | -20.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.41% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.38% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.14% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.14% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.10% | -0.21% | +0.11% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.17% | -2.37% | -2.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.72% | — | — |
Volatility
QQQE vs. BALQ - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| QQQE | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.79% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.64% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.15% | 18.03% | -3.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.30% | 18.03% | +2.27% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.72% | 18.03% | +2.69% |
QQQE vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both QQQE and BALQ have an expense ratio of 0.35%.
Dividends
QQQE vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison
QQQE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, 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% |
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares | 0.52% | 0.52% | 0.86% | 0.79% | 0.98% | 3.83% | 0.54% | 0.74% | 0.80% | 0.65% | 1.17% | 0.57% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QQQE and BALQ have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
QQQE and BALQ have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.
BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 0.52% for QQQE.
They also come from different issuers: Direxion and iShares.
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