DSTX vs. IQLT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DSTX (Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF) and IQLT (iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DSTX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Distillate Fundamental Stability & Value Index, while IQLT is a Quality Factor fund tracking the MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DSTX returned 8.67%/yr vs 7.74%/yr for IQLT. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DSTX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for IQLT.

Performance

DSTX vs. IQLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF (DSTX) and iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT). 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 DSTX having a 11.99% return and IQLT slightly higher at 12.06%.

DSTX

• 1D: -2.07%
• 1M: 5.61%
• 6M: 7.70%
• YTD: 11.99%
• 1Y: 31.10%
• 3Y*: 17.30%
• 5Y*: 8.67%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.80%

IQLT

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 1.15%
• 6M: 6.98%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 1Y: 24.16%
• 3Y*: 14.51%
• 5Y*: 7.74%
• 10Y*: 9.70%
• ALL TIME*: 8.64%

*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)
DSTX Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF	$1.46M	$1.21M	$477.10K
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	$80.44M	$83.91M	$72.09M

DSTX vs. IQLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DSTX Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF	11.99%	41.71%	-0.44%	20.03%	-18.85%	1.78%	2.59%
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	12.06%	25.42%	1.54%	18.73%	-15.22%	12.94%	2.62%

Correlation

The correlation between DSTX and IQLT is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2020	0.90

The correlation between DSTX and IQLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

DSTX vs. IQLT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DSTX	IQLT
Technology	17.0%	12.3%
Consumer Cyclical	14.7%	7.7%
Basic Materials	14.3%	6.7%
Industrials	12.0%	18.0%
Healthcare	10.2%	8.8%
Energy	8.6%	5.5%
Communication Services	7.5%	2.4%
Financial Services	5.8%	26.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	6.4%
Utilities	0.7%	3.7%
Real Estate	-	1.5%

Return for Risk

DSTX vs. IQLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

DSTX

DSTX Risk / Return Rank: 75
DSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
DSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
DSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
DSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
DSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

IQLT

IQLT Risk / Return Rank: 69
IQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
IQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 66
IQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
IQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

DSTX vs. IQLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF (DSTX) and iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT). 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.

	DSTX	IQLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.58	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.28	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.28	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.30	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.02	9.18	-1.16

DSTX vs. IQLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the IQLT Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSTX and IQLT, 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

DSTX vs. IQLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSTX drawdown since its inception was -33.67%, roughly equal to the maximum IQLT drawdown of -32.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSTX and IQLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSTX	IQLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.67%	-32.21%	-1.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.48%	-10.38%	-2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.29%	-13.18%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.95%	-30.24%	-1.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.07%	-0.81%	-1.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.83%	-6.15%	-2.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.81%	2.59%	+1.22%

Volatility

DSTX vs. IQLT - Volatility Comparison

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF (DSTX) has a higher volatility of 5.15% compared to iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) at 3.86%. This indicates that DSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IQLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSTX	IQLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.15%	3.86%	+1.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.94%	12.95%	+0.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.39%	15.13%	+1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.17%	16.57%	+0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.83%	16.77%	+0.06%

DSTX vs. IQLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSTX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than IQLT's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSTX vs. IQLT - Dividend Comparison

DSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.88%, more than IQLT's 2.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DSTX Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF	2.88%	2.93%	2.41%	1.81%	3.68%	2.24%	0.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	2.38%	2.33%	2.87%	2.27%	3.14%	2.24%	1.61%	2.28%	2.72%	2.36%	2.91%	2.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSTX and IQLT in my portfolio?

DSTX and IQLT have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DSTX or IQLT?

DSTX has higher volatility (5.15%) compared to IQLT (3.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSTX dropped -33.67% vs IQLT's -32.21%.

Which ETF is better, DSTX or IQLT?

On 5-year performance, DSTX leads with 8.67% vs 7.74% for IQLT. On fees, IQLT is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, IQLT has been the lower-risk option at 3.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DSTX or IQLT?

Over the 5-year period, DSTX has performed better with a 8.67% return vs 7.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DSTX or IQLT?

IQLT is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for DSTX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DSTX or IQLT?

DSTX has the higher dividend yield at 2.88%, compared with 2.38% for IQLT.

What is the main difference between DSTX and IQLT?

DSTX is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IQLT is Quality Factor. DSTX tracks Distillate Fundamental Stability & Value Index, while IQLT tracks MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Distillate and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for DSTX and 0.30% for IQLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.58), 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.