DEF vs. QWLD

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DEF (Invesco Defensive Equity ETF) and QWLD (SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - DEF tracks the Invesco Defensive Equity Index while QWLD tracks the MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD). Both are passively managed. Their 0.18 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. DEF charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for QWLD.

Performance

DEF vs. QWLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Defensive Equity ETF (DEF) and SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

DEF

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

QWLD

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 2.22%
• 6M: 5.89%
• YTD: 10.03%
• 1Y: 19.80%
• 3Y*: 16.43%
• 5Y*: 10.04%
• 10Y*: 11.64%
• ALL TIME*: 10.53%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	$247.86K	$289.30K	$1.06M

DEF vs. QWLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
DEF Invesco Defensive Equity ETF	-11.11%
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	4.20%

Correlation

The correlation between DEF and QWLD is 0.18, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2026	0.18

DEF vs. QWLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DEF	QWLD
Healthcare	16.8%	13.2%
Financial Services	16.1%	16.5%
Industrials	15.6%	10.9%
Consumer Defensive	12.9%	8.1%
Technology	12.1%	24.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	6.3%
Utilities	4.8%	3.8%
Communication Services	4.7%	9.5%
Real Estate	3.8%	1.0%
Basic Materials	2.1%	2.5%
Energy	1.0%	3.4%

Return for Risk

DEF vs. QWLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DEF

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

QWLD

QWLD Risk / Return Rank: 81
QWLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QWLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
QWLD Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QWLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
QWLD Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DEF vs. QWLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Defensive Equity ETF (DEF) and SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD). 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.

	DEF	QWLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.06	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.91	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.37	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.60	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.35	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	DEF	QWLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-31.89%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.66%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.40%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.84%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	0.00%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-3.66%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.75%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DEF	QWLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.28%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.74%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	9.70%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	13.51%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	15.12%	—

DEF vs. QWLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEF has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than QWLD's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEF vs. QWLD - Dividend Comparison

DEF has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QWLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.78%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEF Invesco Defensive Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	1.78%	1.85%	1.74%	1.78%	2.02%	1.77%	1.77%	2.13%	2.33%	2.73%	2.22%	3.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEF and QWLD in my portfolio?

DEF and QWLD have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DEF or QWLD?

On fees, QWLD is cheaper at 0.30% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DEF or QWLD?

QWLD is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for DEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DEF or QWLD?

QWLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.78%, compared with 0.00% for DEF.

What is the main difference between DEF and QWLD?

DEF tracks Invesco Defensive Equity Index, while QWLD tracks MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD). They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for DEF and 0.30% for QWLD.