QQQY vs. BALQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Both are actively managed. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QQQY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

QQQY vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) 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, QQQY achieves a 19.07% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.89% return.

QQQY

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 9.64%
• YTD: 19.07%
• 6M: 19.11%
• 1Y: 36.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BALQ

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 11.15%
• YTD: 22.89%
• 6M: 22.29%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQY vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	19.07%	0.03%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQY and BALQ is 0.97 - 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	0.97

Return for Risk

QQQY vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

QQQY vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) 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.

	QQQY	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.95	—	—
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

	QQQY	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	2.81	-1.56

Drawdowns

QQQY vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQY drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQY and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQY	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-11.79%	-7.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.36%	-0.21%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-2.37%	-0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QQQY	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.30%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.67%	18.03%	-4.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.75%	18.03%	-3.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.75%	18.03%	-3.28%

QQQY vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQY vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 34.34%, more than BALQ's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	34.34%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQY and BALQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, QQQY 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, QQQY 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, QQQY or BALQ?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for QQQY.

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

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 34.34%, compared with 4.59% for BALQ.

What is the main difference between QQQY and BALQ?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for QQQY and 0.35% for BALQ.