QTEC vs. BALQ
QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QTEC is passively managed, while BALQ is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTEC charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.
Performance
QTEC vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QTEC achieves a 38.99% return, which is significantly higher than BALQ's 18.59% return.
QTEC
- 1D
- -4.69%
- 1M
- 5.04%
- YTD
- 38.99%
- 6M
- 36.41%
- 1Y
- 56.32%
- 3Y*
- 31.13%
- 5Y*
- 15.56%
- 10Y*
- 22.91%
BALQ
- 1D
- -3.11%
- 1M
- -0.12%
- YTD
- 18.59%
- 6M
- 17.39%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QTEC vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund | 38.99% | -1.27% |
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 18.59% | 0.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between QTEC and BALQ is 0.90, 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 3, 2025 | 0.90 |
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Return for Risk
QTEC vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank
QTEC
BALQ
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
QTEC vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| QTEC | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.53 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.11 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
QTEC vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QTEC drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTEC and BALQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QTEC | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.86% | -11.79% | -47.07% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.03% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.00% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.54% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.54% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.69% | -3.71% | -0.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.87% | -2.40% | -7.47% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.08% | — | — |
Volatility
QTEC vs. BALQ - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| QTEC | BALQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.47% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.95% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.15% | 20.62% | +5.53% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.72% | 20.62% | +9.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.75% | 20.62% | +7.13% |
QTEC vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
QTEC has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than BALQ's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
QTEC vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison
QTEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.76%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF | 4.76% | 0.95% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.14% | 0.15% | 0.02% | 0.44% | 0.68% | 0.91% | 0.80% | 1.29% | 0.99% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QTEC and BALQ have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
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.
BALQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for QTEC.
BALQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.76%, compared with 0.00% for QTEC.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for QTEC and 0.35% for BALQ.
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