BALQ vs VXUS
iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BALQ or VXUS?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS 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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.95% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 118 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +19.64%Best | +13.03% |
| 1Y Return | - | +20.20% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.23% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.73% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 2, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
BALQ vs VXUS 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 VXUS Performance
iShares Nasdaq Premium Income Active ETF (BALQ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, BALQ is up 19.64% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BALQ charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BALQ currently yields 6.95% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 111 holdings in BALQ and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 98.2% and 88.8% 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 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 118 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BALQ and VXUS 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 VXUS?
BALQ has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, BALQ or VXUS?
BALQ yields 6.95% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so BALQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BALQ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.