FLOT vs. QAI
FLOT (iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF) and QAI (IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLOT is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg US Floating Rate Note < 5 Years Index, while QAI is a Long-Short fund tracking the IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FLOT returned 3.03%/yr vs 3.79%/yr for QAI. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLOT charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QAI.
Performance
FLOT vs. QAI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FLOT achieves a 1.87% return, which is significantly lower than QAI's 7.58% return. Over the past 10 years, FLOT has underperformed QAI with an annualized return of 3.03%, while QAI has yielded a comparatively higher 3.79% annualized return.
FLOT
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.41%
- YTD
- 1.87%
- 6M
- 2.15%
- 1Y
- 4.85%
- 3Y*
- 5.60%
- 5Y*
- 4.20%
- 10Y*
- 3.03%
QAI
- 1D
- 0.42%
- 1M
- -0.22%
- YTD
- 7.58%
- 6M
- 8.00%
- 1Y
- 14.10%
- 3Y*
- 9.67%
- 5Y*
- 4.31%
- 10Y*
- 3.79%
FLOT vs. QAI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FLOT iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF | 1.87% | 4.91% | 6.53% | 6.43% | 1.28% | 0.45% | 0.87% | 3.97% | 1.48% | 1.65% |
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | 7.58% | 8.29% | 6.67% | 10.07% | -8.68% | -0.16% | 5.73% | 8.68% | -3.32% | 6.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between FLOT and QAI is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2011 | 0.14 |
The correlation between FLOT and QAI shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (all time) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FLOT vs. QAI — Risk / Return Rank
FLOT
QAI
FLOT vs. QAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) 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.
| FLOT | QAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +4.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +8.66 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 3.22 | 1.45 | +1.77 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 11.27 | 3.81 | +7.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 104.83 | 15.45 | +89.37 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FLOT | QAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.54 | 2.26 | +4.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 2.38 | 0.66 | +1.72 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.73 | 0.61 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.66 | 0.56 | +0.10 |
Drawdowns
FLOT vs. QAI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FLOT drawdown since its inception was -13.54%, smaller than the maximum QAI drawdown of -14.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLOT and QAI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FLOT | QAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.54% | -14.95% | +1.41% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.43% | -3.71% | +3.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.57% | -7.78% | +6.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -2.36% | -14.32% | +11.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.54% | -14.95% | +1.41% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.02% | -1.72% | +1.70% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.21% | -2.57% | +2.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.05% | 0.91% | -0.86% |
Volatility
FLOT vs. QAI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) is 0.20%, while IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) has a volatility of 2.56%. This indicates that FLOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FLOT | QAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.20% | 2.56% | -2.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.62% | 5.25% | -4.63% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75% | 6.26% | -5.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.77% | 6.60% | -4.83% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.15% | 6.19% | -2.04% |
FLOT vs. QAI - Expense Ratio Comparison
FLOT has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than QAI's 0.79% expense ratio.
Dividends
FLOT vs. QAI - Dividend Comparison
FLOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.54%, more than QAI's 1.40% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FLOT iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF | 4.54% | 4.84% | 5.82% | 5.66% | 2.06% | 0.43% | 1.25% | 2.78% | 2.41% | 1.46% | 0.97% | 0.53% |
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | 1.40% | 1.50% | 2.22% | 4.08% | 2.00% | 0.28% | 1.98% | 1.91% | 1.90% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FLOT and QAI have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QAI has higher volatility (2.56%) compared to FLOT (0.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLOT dropped -13.54% vs QAI's -14.95%.
On 10-year performance, QAI leads with 3.79% vs 3.03% for FLOT. On fees, FLOT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, FLOT has been the lower-risk option at 0.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, QAI has performed better with a 3.79% return vs 3.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FLOT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QAI.
FLOT has the higher dividend yield at 4.54%, compared with 1.40% for QAI.
FLOT is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while QAI is Long-Short. FLOT tracks Bloomberg US Floating Rate Note < 5 Years Index, while QAI tracks IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and New York Life. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for FLOT and 0.79% for QAI.
FLOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.54 vs 2.26), 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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