QTR vs. BALQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTR (Global X NASDAQ 100 Tail Risk ETF) and BALQ (iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QTR is passively managed, while BALQ is actively managed. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QTR charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BALQ.

Performance

QTR vs. BALQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X NASDAQ 100 Tail Risk ETF (QTR) 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, QTR achieves a 17.64% return, which is significantly lower than BALQ's 22.89% return.

QTR

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 10.52%
• YTD: 17.64%
• 6M: 15.72%
• 1Y: 33.76%
• 3Y*: 22.93%
• 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)

QTR vs. BALQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QTR Global X NASDAQ 100 Tail Risk ETF	17.64%	-1.63%
BALQ iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF	22.89%	-0.49%

Correlation

The correlation between QTR and BALQ is 0.99 - 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	0.99

Return for Risk

QTR vs. BALQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTR

QTR Risk / Return Rank: 64
QTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QTR Omega Ratio Rank: 68
QTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QTR Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

QTR vs. BALQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	QTR	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.47	—	—
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

	QTR	BALQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	2.81	-2.13

Drawdowns

QTR vs. BALQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTR drawdown since its inception was -31.72%, which is greater than BALQ's maximum drawdown of -11.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTR and BALQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTR	BALQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.72%	-11.79%	-19.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.29%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-0.21%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.84%	-2.37%	-6.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QTR	BALQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.68%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.14%	18.03%	-3.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.10%	18.03%	+0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.10%	18.03%	+0.07%

QTR vs. BALQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

QTR vs. BALQ - Dividend Comparison

QTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.96%, 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%
QTR Global X NASDAQ 100 Tail Risk ETF	15.96%	18.77%	0.50%	0.53%	0.36%	1.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTR and BALQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, QTR 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, QTR 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, QTR or BALQ?

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

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

QTR has the higher dividend yield at 15.96%, compared with 4.59% for BALQ.

What is the main difference between QTR and BALQ?

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