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EFT vs. QUAL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EFT vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EFT (Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Trust) is a stock, while QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Over the past 10 years, EFT returned 5.56%/yr vs 14.47%/yr for QUAL. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

EFT vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Trust (EFT) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EFT achieves a -2.09% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's 7.67% return. Over the past 10 years, EFT has underperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 5.56%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively higher 14.47% annualized return.

EFT

1D
0.19%
1M
-1.13%
YTD
-2.09%
6M
-1.52%
1Y
-4.12%
3Y*
7.98%
5Y*
3.47%
10Y*
5.56%

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)

EFT vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EFT
Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Trust		-2.09%-3.77%13.17%27.14%-19.69%21.00%2.41%16.85%-6.14%1.63%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		7.67%12.65%22.29%30.88%-20.50%26.94%17.04%33.89%-5.70%22.26%

Correlation

The correlation between EFT and QUAL is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.37

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.31

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.37

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.34

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2013

0.32

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Trust

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

Often compared with EFT:
EFT vs. EFREFT vs. BKLNEFT vs. BGTEFT vs. PHYSXEFT vs. CVGRXEFT vs. RQIEFT vs. SPY
Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

EFT vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EFT
EFT Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
EFT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2323
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EFT Sortino Ratio Rank: 1919
Sortino Ratio Rank
EFT Omega Ratio Rank: 1919
Omega Ratio Rank
EFT Calmar Ratio Rank: 3232
Calmar Ratio Rank
EFT Martin Ratio Rank: 3232
Martin Ratio Rank
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5353
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 5353
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 4949
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

EFT vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Trust (EFT) 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.

EFTQUALDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.44
1.75

-2.19

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-0.58
2.48

-3.05

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.93

1.31

-0.38

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.32

2.34

-2.66

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.62

10.65

-11.26

EFT vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFT Sharpe Ratio is -0.44, which is lower than the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFT 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.

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Drawdowns

EFT vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFT drawdown since its inception was -60.58%, which is greater than QUAL's maximum drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFT and QUAL.

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Drawdown Indicators

EFTQUALDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-60.58%

-34.06%

-26.52%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.02%

-9.03%

-3.99%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.49%

-18.00%

+0.51%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.98%

-28.23%

+3.25%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.51%

-34.06%

-11.45%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-10.79%

-2.82%

-7.97%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.82%

-4.09%

-4.73%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

6.70%

1.98%

+4.72%

Volatility

EFT vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Trust (EFT) is 1.16%, while iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) has a volatility of 4.09%. This indicates that EFT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

EFTQUALDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.16%

4.09%

-2.93%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.49%

9.63%

-2.14%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

9.31%

12.14%

-2.83%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

12.75%

17.39%

-4.64%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.75%

18.10%

-2.35%

Dividends

EFT vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

EFT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.10%, more than QUAL's 0.89% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EFT
Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Trust		9.10%9.55%10.52%11.09%9.81%5.24%5.88%7.41%6.77%5.73%5.54%6.57%
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

EFT and QUAL have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QUAL has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to EFT (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFT dropped -60.58% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs -0.44), 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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