BALQ vs PBQQ
iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF vs PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF
Which is better, BALQ or PBQQ?
BALQ has been ahead.
BALQ has a lower expense ratio. BALQ led over 1Y.
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 | PBQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $38M | $98M |
| Dividend Yield | 7.50% | 0.01% |
| Holdings | 120 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +20.02%Best | +10.99% |
| 1Y Return | +19.42%Best | +12.08% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Dec 2, 2025 | Dec 27, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
BALQ vs PBQQ 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 PBQQ Performance
iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year BALQ returned +19.42% while PBQQ returned +12.08%. Year to date, BALQ is up 20.02% versus a gain of 10.99% for PBQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BALQ charges 0.35% per year while PBQQ charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $50 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BALQ currently yields 7.50% against 0.01% for PBQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 111 holdings in BALQ and 4 in PBQQ, totalling 99.2% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 111 positions we hold weights for in BALQ and 4 in PBQQ, against full books of 120 and 12.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BALQ and PBQQ 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 PBQQ?
BALQ has an expense ratio of 0.35% while PBQQ charges 0.50%. BALQ is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BALQ or PBQQ?
Over the past year BALQ returned +19.42% vs +12.08% for PBQQ, so BALQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BALQ or PBQQ?
BALQ yields 7.50% while PBQQ yields 0.01%, so BALQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PBQQ better than BALQ?
BALQ has a lower expense ratio. BALQ led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.