AVUQ vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AVUQ (Avantis U.S. Quality ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. AVUQ is actively managed, while QUAL is passively managed. Over the past year, AVUQ returned 24.50% vs 21.07% for QUAL. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

AVUQ vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with AVUQ having a 7.35% return and QUAL slightly higher at 7.67%.

AVUQ

• 1D: -1.77%
• 1M: -2.27%
• YTD: 7.35%
• 6M: 6.08%
• 1Y: 24.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QUAL

• 1D: -1.31%
• 1M: -0.46%
• YTD: 7.67%
• 6M: 6.84%
• 1Y: 21.07%
• 3Y*: 18.53%
• 5Y*: 11.52%
• 10Y*: 14.47%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AVUQ vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	7.35%	21.84%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	7.67%	15.46%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUQ and QUAL is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.88

The correlation between AVUQ and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUQ vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUQ	QUAL
Technology	48.7%	38.8%
Consumer Cyclical	14.2%	9.3%
Communication Services	11.8%	11.8%
Industrials	7.6%	7.2%
Financial Services	5.4%	10.8%
Healthcare	5.4%	8.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	4.4%
Energy	2.2%	3.2%
Basic Materials	1.2%	1.9%
Utilities	0.7%	2.1%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.8%

Return for Risk

AVUQ vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AVUQ

AVUQ Risk / Return Rank: 45
AVUQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
AVUQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
AVUQ Omega Ratio Rank: 43
AVUQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
AVUQ Martin Ratio Rank: 50

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 53
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 62

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AVUQ vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.

	AVUQ	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	1.75	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.48	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.31	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	2.34	-0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.13	10.65	-2.52

AVUQ vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is comparable to the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUQ and QUAL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AVUQ vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUQ drawdown since its inception was -12.35%, smaller than the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUQ and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUQ	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.35%	-34.06%	+21.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.61%	-9.03%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.00%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.42%	-2.82%	-1.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.17%	-4.09%	+1.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	1.98%	+1.04%

Volatility

AVUQ vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) has a higher volatility of 5.97% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 4.09%. This indicates that AVUQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUQ	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.97%	4.09%	+1.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.59%	9.63%	+2.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.14%	12.14%	+4.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.67%	17.39%	+2.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.67%	18.10%	+1.57%

AVUQ vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AVUQ and QUAL have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AVUQ vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

AVUQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than QUAL's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	0.46%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	0.89%	0.94%	1.02%	1.23%	1.59%	1.20%	1.39%	1.60%	2.00%	1.76%	1.96%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUQ and QUAL in my portfolio?

AVUQ and QUAL have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVUQ or QUAL?

AVUQ has higher volatility (5.97%) compared to QUAL (4.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUQ dropped -12.35% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, AVUQ or QUAL?

On 1-year performance, AVUQ leads with 24.50% vs 21.07% for QUAL. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 4.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUQ or QUAL?

Over the 1-year period, AVUQ has performed better with a 24.50% return vs 21.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUQ or QUAL?

AVUQ and QUAL have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVUQ or QUAL?

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.46% for AVUQ.

What is the main difference between AVUQ and QUAL?

AVUQ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.53), 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.