AQLT vs. TLT
AQLT (iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AQLT is a Quality Factor fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Quality Index (Net), while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AQLT returned 24.44% vs -2.45% for TLT. Their 0.22 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. AQLT charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.
Performance
AQLT vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AQLT achieves a 11.10% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -3.49% return.
AQLT
- 1D
- 0.44%
- 1M
- -1.06%
- 6M
- 6.58%
- YTD
- 11.10%
- 1Y
- 24.44%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 15.38%
TLT
- 1D
- -0.66%
- 1M
- -3.81%
- 6M
- -3.46%
- YTD
- -3.49%
- 1Y
- -2.45%
- 3Y*
- -1.80%
- 5Y*
- -8.18%
- 10Y*
- -2.38%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.47%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $848.28K | $1.29M | $1.17M | |
| $2.33B | $2.02B | $2.19B |
AQLT vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
AQLT iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF | 11.10% | 17.65% | -3.38% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | -3.49% | 4.25% | -4.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between AQLT and TLT is 0.28, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.28 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024 | 0.22 |
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Return for Risk
AQLT vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank
AQLT
TLT
AQLT vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF (AQLT) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AQLT | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.74 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 0.99 | +0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.18 | -0.14 | +2.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.54 | -0.30 | +9.83 |
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Drawdowns
AQLT vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AQLT drawdown since its inception was -16.84%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AQLT and TLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AQLT | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.84% | -48.35% | +31.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.68% | -7.74% | -2.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -14.79% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -43.70% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -48.35% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.75% | -42.36% | +40.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.25% | -13.99% | +11.74% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.44% | 3.57% | -1.13% |
Volatility
AQLT vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF (AQLT) has a higher volatility of 3.44% compared to iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) at 2.46%. This indicates that AQLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AQLT | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.44% | 2.46% | +0.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.02% | 6.85% | +5.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.36% | 9.32% | +5.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.88% | 15.74% | +1.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.88% | 14.83% | +2.05% |
AQLT vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
AQLT has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
AQLT vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
AQLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than TLT's 4.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AQLT iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF | 1.00% | 1.05% | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 4.34% | 4.43% | 4.30% | 3.38% | 2.67% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 2.27% | 2.63% | 2.43% | 2.60% | 2.61% |
Frequently Asked Questions
AQLT and TLT have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AQLT has higher volatility (3.44%) compared to TLT (2.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AQLT dropped -16.84% vs TLT's -48.35%.
On 1-year performance, AQLT leads with 24.44% vs -2.45% for TLT. On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, TLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, AQLT has performed better with a 24.44% return vs -2.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for AQLT.
TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.34%, compared with 1.00% for AQLT.
AQLT is categorized as Quality Factor, while TLT is Government Bonds. AQLT tracks MSCI ACWI Quality Index (Net), while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for AQLT and 0.15% for TLT.
AQLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs -0.11), 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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