QQQI vs. BALQ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Both are actively managed. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QQQI charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

QQQI vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) 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, QQQI achieves a 13.04% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.35% return.

QQQI

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 5.60%
• YTD: 13.04%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 29.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BALQ

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 9.03%
• YTD: 22.35%
• 6M: 21.90%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQI vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.04%	-0.45%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.35%	-0.49%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQI and BALQ is 0.98 - 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	0.98

Return for Risk

QQQI vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 70
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 72
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

QQQI vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) 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.

	QQQI	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.93	—	—
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

	QQQI	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.32	2.72	-1.40

Drawdowns

QQQI vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQI drawdown since its inception was -20.00%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQI and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQI	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.00%	-11.79%	-8.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-0.65%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.19%	-2.36%	+0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QQQI	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.69%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.85%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.98%	17.97%	-4.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.05%	17.97%	-0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.05%	17.97%	-0.92%

QQQI vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQI has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQI vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

QQQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.24%, more than BALQ's 4.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.61%	0.95%	0.00%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.24%	13.82%	12.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQI and BALQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, QQQI 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.

Which ETF is better, QQQI 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, QQQI or BALQ?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for QQQI.

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

QQQI has the higher dividend yield at 13.24%, compared with 4.61% for BALQ.

What is the main difference between QQQI and BALQ?

They also come from different issuers: Neos and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for QQQI and 0.35% for BALQ.