AQLT vs. FGD
AQLT (iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF) and FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) are both Global Equities funds - AQLT tracks the MSCI ACWI Quality Index (Net) while FGD tracks the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AQLT returned 29.00% vs 33.36% for FGD. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AQLT charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for FGD.
Performance
AQLT vs. FGD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AQLT achieves a 12.40% return, which is significantly higher than FGD's 11.09% return.
AQLT
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- 4.34%
- YTD
- 12.40%
- 6M
- 12.67%
- 1Y
- 29.00%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FGD
- 1D
- -1.27%
- 1M
- 1.09%
- YTD
- 11.09%
- 6M
- 12.57%
- 1Y
- 33.36%
- 3Y*
- 22.45%
- 5Y*
- 10.37%
- 10Y*
- 9.79%
AQLT vs. FGD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
AQLT iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF | 12.40% | 17.65% | -3.14% |
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund | 11.09% | 44.42% | -3.13% |
Correlation
The correlation between AQLT and FGD is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2024 | 0.65 |
The correlation between AQLT and FGD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
AQLT vs. FGD — Risk / Return Rank
AQLT
FGD
AQLT vs. FGD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF (AQLT) and First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD). 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.
| AQLT | FGD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.51 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.48 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.73 | 3.41 | -0.69 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.25 | 12.03 | +0.22 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| AQLT | FGD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.18 | 2.67 | -0.49 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.70 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.54 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.09 | 0.26 | +0.84 |
Drawdowns
AQLT vs. FGD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AQLT drawdown since its inception was -16.84%, smaller than the maximum FGD drawdown of -68.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AQLT and FGD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AQLT | FGD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.84% | -68.05% | +51.21% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.68% | -9.82% | -0.86% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -11.50% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -28.68% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.84% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.37% | -2.05% | +1.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.32% | -12.57% | +10.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.37% | 2.78% | -0.41% |
Volatility
AQLT vs. FGD - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF (AQLT) has a higher volatility of 3.54% compared to First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) at 3.20%. This indicates that AQLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FGD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AQLT | FGD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.54% | 3.20% | +0.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.82% | 9.73% | +1.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.39% | 12.56% | +0.83% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.99% | 14.92% | +2.07% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.99% | 18.23% | -1.24% |
AQLT vs. FGD - Expense Ratio Comparison
AQLT has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than FGD's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
AQLT vs. FGD - Dividend Comparison
AQLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than FGD's 5.09% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AQLT iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF | 0.93% | 1.05% | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund | 5.09% | 5.62% | 5.87% | 6.44% | 5.74% | 5.35% | 6.17% | 5.19% | 5.88% | 4.01% | 4.36% | 5.07% |
Frequently Asked Questions
AQLT and FGD have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AQLT has higher volatility (3.54%) compared to FGD (3.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AQLT dropped -16.84% vs FGD's -68.05%.
On 1-year performance, FGD leads with 33.36% vs 29.00% for AQLT. On fees, AQLT is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, FGD has been the lower-risk option at 3.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, FGD has performed better with a 33.36% return vs 29.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
AQLT is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for FGD.
FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.09%, compared with 0.93% for AQLT.
AQLT tracks MSCI ACWI Quality Index (Net), while FGD tracks Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for AQLT and 0.59% for FGD.
FGD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.18), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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