QRMI vs. BALQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QRMI (Global X NASDAQ 100 Risk Managed Income ETF) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QRMI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

QRMI vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X NASDAQ 100 Risk Managed Income ETF (QRMI) 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, QRMI achieves a 2.60% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.89% return.

QRMI

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.85%
• YTD: 2.60%
• 6M: 3.95%
• 1Y: 9.73%
• 3Y*: 7.02%
• 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)

QRMI vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QRMI Global X NASDAQ 100 Risk Managed Income ETF	2.60%	1.32%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%

Correlation

The correlation between QRMI and BALQ is 0.85, 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	0.85

Return for Risk

QRMI vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QRMI

QRMI Risk / Return Rank: 48
QRMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
QRMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
QRMI Omega Ratio Rank: 56
QRMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
QRMI Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

QRMI vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X NASDAQ 100 Risk Managed Income ETF (QRMI) 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.

	QRMI	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.52	—	—
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

	QRMI	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.71	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	2.81	-2.59

Drawdowns

QRMI vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QRMI drawdown since its inception was -20.95%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QRMI and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QRMI	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.95%	-11.79%	-9.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.21%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.98%	-2.37%	-5.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.14%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QRMI	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.66%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.43%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.76%	18.03%	-12.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.34%	18.03%	-9.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.34%	18.03%	-9.69%

QRMI vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QRMI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QRMI vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

QRMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.19%, more than BALQ's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	4.59%	0.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QRMI Global X NASDAQ 100 Risk Managed Income ETF	12.19%	12.28%	11.80%	12.44%	10.65%	3.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QRMI and BALQ in my portfolio?

QRMI and BALQ have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QRMI 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, QRMI or BALQ?

BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QRMI.

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

QRMI has the higher dividend yield at 12.19%, compared with 4.59% for BALQ.

What is the main difference between QRMI and BALQ?

They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QRMI and 0.35% for BALQ.