EQLS vs. QAI

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF (EQLS) and IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI).

EQLS and QAI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EQLS is an actively managed fund by Simplify. It was launched on Jun 13, 2023. QAI is a passively managed fund by New York Life that tracks the performance of the IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. It was launched on Mar 25, 2009.

Performance

EQLS vs. QAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF (EQLS) and IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

EQLS vs. QAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EQLS Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF	0.00%	6.82%	-4.82%	-3.63%
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	1.82%	8.29%	6.67%	5.37%

Returns By Period

EQLS

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

QAI

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: -2.23%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 6M: 2.98%
• 1Y: 10.61%
• 3Y*: 8.05%
• 5Y*: 3.40%
• 10Y*: 3.30%

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

EQLS vs. QAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

EQLS has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than QAI's 0.79% expense ratio.

EQLS

Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF

QAI

IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF

Return for Risk

EQLS vs. QAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QAI

QAI Risk / Return Rank: 80
QAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
QAI Omega Ratio Rank: 82
QAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
QAI Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

EQLS vs. QAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF (EQLS) and IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI). 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EQLS	QAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.51	—

Correlation

The correlation between EQLS and QAI is -0.01. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.

Dividends

EQLS vs. QAI - Dividend Comparison

EQLS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EQLS Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF	0.00%	0.45%	0.95%	8.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	1.48%	1.50%	2.22%	4.08%	2.00%	0.28%	1.98%	1.91%	1.90%	0.00%	0.00%	0.48%

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	EQLS	QAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-14.95%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-5.43%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.32%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-14.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-2.51%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-2.60%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.17%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	EQLS	QAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.83%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	4.95%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	7.55%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	6.51%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	6.12%	—