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FTAG vs. QUAL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FTAG vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FTAG (First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - FTAG tracks the Indxx Global Agriculture Index while QUAL tracks the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTAG returned 4.86%/yr vs 14.29%/yr for QUAL. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTAG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

FTAG vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) 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, FTAG achieves a 8.59% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's 9.65% return. Over the past 10 years, FTAG has underperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 4.86%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively higher 14.29% annualized return.

FTAG

1D
-1.95%
1M
-5.52%
YTD
8.59%
6M
10.31%
1Y
11.54%
3Y*
4.49%
5Y*
0.27%
10Y*
4.86%

QUAL

1D
0.79%
1M
4.74%
YTD
9.65%
6M
9.63%
1Y
22.18%
3Y*
20.16%
5Y*
12.13%
10Y*
14.29%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FTAG vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FTAG
First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF		8.59%14.82%-6.72%-7.28%-4.52%17.31%13.88%9.05%-19.46%24.88%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		9.65%12.65%22.29%30.88%-20.50%26.94%17.04%33.89%-5.70%22.26%

Correlation

The correlation between FTAG and QUAL is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.41

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

0.46

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

0.53

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

0.47

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2013

0.43

The correlation between FTAG and QUAL shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.53 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTAG vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FTAG
QUAL

Basic Materials

55.5%
1.7%

Industrials

24.1%
8.2%

Consumer Defensive

8.4%
4.9%

Healthcare

7.8%
9.0%

Consumer Cyclical

4.2%
9.3%

Communication Services

-

11.1%

Energy

-

4.0%

Financial Services

-

11.5%

Real Estate

-

1.8%

Technology

-

36.5%

Utilities

-

1.9%

Basic Materials

FTAG
55.5%
QUAL
1.7%

Industrials

FTAG
24.1%
QUAL
8.2%

Consumer Defensive

FTAG
8.4%
QUAL
4.9%

Healthcare

FTAG
7.8%
QUAL
9.0%

Consumer Cyclical

FTAG
4.2%
QUAL
9.3%

Communication Services

FTAG

-

QUAL
11.1%

Energy

FTAG

-

QUAL
4.0%

Financial Services

FTAG

-

QUAL
11.5%

Real Estate

FTAG

-

QUAL
1.8%

Technology

FTAG

-

QUAL
36.5%

Utilities

FTAG

-

QUAL
1.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

Often compared with FTAG:
FTAG vs. TAGSFTAG vs. MOOFTAG vs. DBAFTAG vs. VEGIFTAG vs. PSCXFTAG vs. FTIFFTAG vs. PSMD
Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

FTAG vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FTAG
FTAG Risk / Return Rank: 2424
Overall Rank
FTAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2424
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTAG Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
FTAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 2626
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTAG Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
Martin Ratio Rank
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 5656
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5151
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6363
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.

FTAG vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) 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.

FTAGQUALDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.82
1.88

-1.06

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.26
2.68

-1.41

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.33

-0.18

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.25

2.47

-1.21

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.07

11.25

-8.18

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTAG vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTAG Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is lower than the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTAG 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

FTAGQUALDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.82

1.88

-1.06

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.02

0.70

-0.69

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.25

0.79

-0.54

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

-0.34

0.80

-1.14

Drawdowns

FTAG vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTAG drawdown since its inception was -90.89%, which is greater than QUAL's maximum drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTAG and QUAL.

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Drawdown Indicators

FTAGQUALDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-90.89%

-34.06%

-56.83%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.25%

-9.03%

-0.22%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.87%

-18.00%

-3.87%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-32.77%

-28.23%

-4.54%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-50.79%

-34.06%

-16.73%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-79.00%

0.00%

-79.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-71.25%

-4.10%

-67.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.77%

1.98%

+1.79%

Volatility

FTAG vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) has a higher volatility of 3.58% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 2.54%. This indicates that FTAG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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

FTAGQUALDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.58%

2.54%

+1.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.73%

9.06%

+1.67%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.07%

11.84%

+2.23%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.40%

17.33%

+0.07%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.67%

18.09%

+1.58%

FTAG vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTAG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTAG vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

FTAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%, more than QUAL's 0.87% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FTAG
First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF		1.40%1.39%2.89%3.68%1.77%1.58%1.72%2.33%2.16%1.26%0.61%1.35%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		0.87%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

FTAG and QUAL have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FTAG has higher volatility (3.58%) compared to QUAL (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTAG dropped -90.89% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.29% vs 4.86% for FTAG. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 14.29% return vs 4.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTAG.

FTAG has the higher dividend yield at 1.40%, compared with 0.87% for QUAL.

FTAG tracks Indxx Global Agriculture Index, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTAG and 0.15% for QUAL.

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 0.82), 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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