EQLT vs. GQI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EQLT (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF) and GQI (Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. EQLT is passively managed, while GQI is actively managed. Over the past year, EQLT returned 44.38% vs 22.33% for GQI. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EQLT charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for GQI.

Performance

EQLT vs. GQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) and Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF (GQI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EQLT achieves a 22.86% return, which is significantly higher than GQI's 9.82% return.

EQLT

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: -1.35%
• 6M: 14.71%
• YTD: 22.86%
• 1Y: 44.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 29.13%

GQI

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 1.51%
• 6M: 7.93%
• YTD: 9.82%
• 1Y: 22.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.45%

*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)
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	$77.09K	$55.23K	$122.39K
GQI Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF	$866.96K	$1.04M	$2.05M

EQLT vs. GQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	22.86%	33.93%	-1.29%
GQI Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF	9.82%	15.36%	7.01%

Correlation

The correlation between EQLT and GQI is 0.69, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2024	0.57

The correlation between EQLT and GQI shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (all time) to 0.69 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EQLT vs. GQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EQLT	GQI
Technology	34.8%	37.9%
Financial Services	19.5%	9.9%
Industrials	11.4%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	11.0%
Basic Materials	6.5%	0.7%
Communication Services	5.2%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	6.1%
Energy	3.5%	3.9%
Healthcare	3.3%	10.9%
Utilities	1.8%	0.6%
Real Estate	0.9%	0.4%

Return for Risk

EQLT vs. GQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

EQLT

EQLT Risk / Return Rank: 81
EQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
EQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
EQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 79
EQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
EQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 81

GQI

GQI Risk / Return Rank: 86
GQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
GQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
GQI Omega Ratio Rank: 86
GQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
GQI Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

EQLT vs. GQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) and Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF (GQI). 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.

	EQLT	GQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	2.07	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	2.92	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.38	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	2.98	+0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.91	15.46	-4.55

EQLT vs. GQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EQLT Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the GQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EQLT and GQI, 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

EQLT vs. GQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EQLT drawdown since its inception was -17.38%, roughly equal to the maximum GQI drawdown of -16.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EQLT and GQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	EQLT	GQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.38%	-16.56%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.00%	-6.96%	-5.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.36%	-0.12%	-8.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.81%	-1.62%	-2.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.96%	1.34%	+2.62%

Volatility

EQLT vs. GQI - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) has a higher volatility of 5.98% compared to Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF (GQI) at 2.49%. This indicates that EQLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EQLT	GQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.98%	2.49%	+3.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.15%	7.65%	+13.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.39%	9.99%	+13.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.25%	13.01%	+8.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.25%	13.01%	+8.24%

EQLT vs. GQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

EQLT has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than GQI's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

EQLT vs. GQI - Dividend Comparison

EQLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.85%, less than GQI's 8.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	2.85%	3.10%	0.51%	0.00%
GQI Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF	7.83%	8.97%	7.77%	0.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EQLT and GQI in my portfolio?

EQLT and GQI have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EQLT or GQI?

EQLT has higher volatility (5.98%) compared to GQI (2.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EQLT dropped -17.38% vs GQI's -16.56%.

Which ETF is better, EQLT or GQI?

On 1-year performance, EQLT leads with 44.38% vs 22.33% for GQI. On fees, GQI is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, GQI has been the lower-risk option at 2.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EQLT or GQI?

Over the 1-year period, EQLT has performed better with a 44.38% return vs 22.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EQLT or GQI?

GQI is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for EQLT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EQLT or GQI?

GQI has the higher dividend yield at 7.83%, compared with 2.85% for EQLT.

What is the main difference between EQLT and GQI?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Natixis. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for EQLT and 0.34% for GQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.85), 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.