BALQ vs QQQ
BALQ vs QQQ
iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Quick Verdict
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. BALQ offers more diversification with 111 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BALQ | QQQ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.18% | |
| AUM | $16M | $455.8B | |
| Dividend Yield | 4.59% | 0.41% | |
| Holdings | 118 | 108 | |
| YTD Return | +19.68% | +17.27% | |
| 1Y Return | - | +28.64% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +24.88% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.86% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | - | 30.6% | |
| Max Drawdown | -11.8% | -83.0% | |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) | |
| Category | Alternative | Equity | |
| Inception | Dec 2, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
BALQ vs QQQ Performance
iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is a ETF from Invesco (US). Year to date, BALQ is up 19.68% versus a gain of 17.27% for QQQ.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -11.8% for BALQ and -83.0% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BALQ charges 0.35% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $18 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BALQ currently yields 4.59% against 0.41% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
BALQ and QQQ share 27 holdings out of 187 unique holdings combined, representing a 65.1% weight overlap.
High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BALQ | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 7.94% | 7.88% | 0.06% |
| AAPL | 7.85% | 7.46% | 0.39% |
| MSFT | 6.03% | 4.65% | 1.38% |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMD | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TSLA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings BALQ shares with QQQ Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BALQ or QQQ?
BALQ has an expense ratio of 0.35% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $17 per year of difference.
What is the holdings overlap between BALQ and QQQ?
BALQ and QQQ share 27 common holdings with a 65.1% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 187 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, BALQ or QQQ?
BALQ yields 4.59% while QQQ yields 0.41%, so BALQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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