BALQ vs DQJN
iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF vs FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Dual Directional Buffer ETF - June
Which is better, BALQ or DQJN?
BALQ costs less.
BALQ has a lower expense ratio.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BALQ | DQJN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35%Best | 0.90% |
| AUM | $38M | $17M |
| Dividend Yield | 7.50% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 120 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +23.10%Best | +1.16% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Dec 2, 2025 | Jun 18, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
BALQ vs DQJN growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BALQ vs DQJN Performance
iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Dual Directional Buffer ETF - June (DQJN) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Year to date, BALQ is up 23.10% versus a gain of 1.16% for DQJN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BALQ charges 0.35% per year while DQJN charges 0.90%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $90 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BALQ currently yields 7.50% against 0.00% for DQJN.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BALQ and DQJN you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BALQ or DQJN?
BALQ has an expense ratio of 0.35% while DQJN charges 0.90%. BALQ is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, BALQ or DQJN?
BALQ yields 7.50% while DQJN yields 0.00%, so BALQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DQJN better than BALQ?
BALQ has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.