FQAL vs. QUAL
Compare and contrast key facts about Fidelity Quality Factor ETF (FQAL) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL).
FQAL and QUAL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FQAL is a passively managed fund by Fidelity that tracks the performance of the Fidelity U.S. Quality Factor Index. It was launched on Sep 12, 2016. QUAL is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. It was launched on Jul 18, 2013. Both FQAL and QUAL are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
FQAL vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
FQAL vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FQAL Fidelity Quality Factor ETF | -3.61% | 16.93% | 21.92% | 24.20% | -19.70% | 32.13% | 16.17% | 28.12% | -4.39% | 23.03% |
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | -3.22% | 12.65% | 22.29% | 30.88% | -20.50% | 26.94% | 17.04% | 33.89% | -5.70% | 22.26% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FQAL achieves a -3.61% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's -3.22% return.
FQAL
- 1D
- 2.61%
- 1M
- -5.34%
- YTD
- -3.61%
- 6M
- -2.20%
- 1Y
- 14.58%
- 3Y*
- 16.72%
- 5Y*
- 11.10%
- 10Y*
- —
QUAL
- 1D
- 2.85%
- 1M
- -6.17%
- YTD
- -3.22%
- 6M
- -0.87%
- 1Y
- 13.35%
- 3Y*
- 16.91%
- 5Y*
- 10.60%
- 10Y*
- 12.94%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
FQAL vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison
FQAL has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
FQAL vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank
FQAL
QUAL
FQAL vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Quality Factor ETF (FQAL) 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.
| FQAL | QUAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.87 | 0.77 | +0.10 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.36 | 1.22 | +0.14 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.17 | +0.03 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.37 | 1.23 | +0.13 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.53 | 5.67 | +0.85 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FQAL | QUAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.87 | 0.77 | +0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.69 | 0.61 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.72 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.76 | 0.75 | +0.01 |
Correlation
The correlation between FQAL and QUAL is 0.96, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
FQAL vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison
FQAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, more than QUAL's 0.98% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FQAL Fidelity Quality Factor ETF | 1.25% | 1.12% | 1.20% | 1.35% | 1.52% | 1.17% | 1.46% | 1.55% | 1.73% | 1.53% | 0.43% | 0.00% |
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | 0.98% | 0.94% | 1.02% | 1.23% | 1.59% | 1.20% | 1.39% | 1.60% | 2.00% | 1.76% | 1.96% | 1.63% |
Drawdowns
FQAL vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FQAL drawdown since its inception was -33.71%, roughly equal to the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FQAL and QUAL.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| FQAL | QUAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.71% | -34.06% | +0.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.41% | -11.52% | +0.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.50% | -28.23% | +2.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -34.06% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.04% | -6.44% | +0.40% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.66% | -4.15% | -0.51% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.39% | 2.50% | -0.11% |
Volatility
FQAL vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Fidelity Quality Factor ETF (FQAL) is 4.99%, while iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) has a volatility of 5.37%. This indicates that FQAL 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.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| FQAL | QUAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.99% | 5.37% | -0.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.02% | 9.30% | -0.28% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.81% | 17.47% | -0.66% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.21% | 17.34% | -1.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.68% | 18.08% | -0.40% |