GARP vs. EQLT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GARP (iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF) and EQLT (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF) are both Quality Factor funds from iShares - GARP tracks the MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index while EQLT tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GARP returned 31.75% vs 44.38% for EQLT. Their 0.65 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. GARP charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for EQLT.

Performance

GARP vs. EQLT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GARP achieves a 16.89% return, which is significantly lower than EQLT's 22.86% return.

GARP

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -1.22%
• 6M: 14.45%
• YTD: 16.89%
• 1Y: 31.75%
• 3Y*: 28.85%
• 5Y*: 17.48%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 20.07%

EQLT

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

*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
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	$25.65M	$25.43M	$23.00M

GARP vs. EQLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	16.89%	21.49%	12.56%
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	22.86%	33.93%	-1.29%

Correlation

The correlation between GARP and EQLT is 0.79, 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.	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2024	0.65

The correlation between GARP and EQLT shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (all time) to 0.79 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GARP vs. EQLT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GARP	EQLT
Technology	54.7%	34.8%
Communication Services	11.0%	5.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	8.2%
Financial Services	7.9%	19.5%
Industrials	6.4%	11.4%
Healthcare	5.4%	3.3%
Energy	3.0%	3.5%
Utilities	1.3%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.1%	6.5%
Real Estate	0.4%	0.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.5%

Return for Risk

GARP vs. EQLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

GARP

GARP Risk / Return Rank: 64
GARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
GARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
GARP Omega Ratio Rank: 60
GARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GARP Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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

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.

GARP vs. EQLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	GARP	EQLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.85	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	2.44	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.33	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	3.61	-1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.99	10.91	-2.92

GARP vs. EQLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GARP Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the EQLT Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GARP and EQLT, 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

GARP vs. EQLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GARP drawdown since its inception was -31.34%, which is greater than EQLT's maximum drawdown of -17.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GARP and EQLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	GARP	EQLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.34%	-17.38%	-13.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.69%	-12.00%	-1.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.73%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.34%	-8.36%	+4.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.27%	-3.81%	-3.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.75%	3.96%	-0.21%

Volatility

GARP vs. EQLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) is 5.68%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) has a volatility of 5.98%. This indicates that GARP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EQLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GARP	EQLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.68%	5.98%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.18%	21.15%	-4.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.02%	23.39%	-3.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.34%	21.25%	+1.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.92%	21.25%	+2.67%

GARP vs. EQLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

GARP has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than EQLT's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

GARP vs. EQLT - Dividend Comparison

GARP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.27%, less than EQLT's 2.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	2.85%	3.10%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	0.27%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GARP and EQLT in my portfolio?

GARP and EQLT have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GARP or EQLT?

EQLT has higher volatility (5.98%) compared to GARP (5.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GARP dropped -31.34% vs EQLT's -17.38%.

Which ETF is better, GARP or EQLT?

On 1-year performance, EQLT leads with 44.38% vs 31.75% for GARP. On fees, GARP is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, GARP has been the lower-risk option at 5.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GARP or EQLT?

Over the 1-year period, EQLT has performed better with a 44.38% return vs 31.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GARP or EQLT?

GARP is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for EQLT.

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

EQLT has the higher dividend yield at 2.85%, compared with 0.27% for GARP.

What is the main difference between GARP and EQLT?

GARP tracks MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index, while EQLT tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor Select Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for GARP and 0.35% for EQLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.50), 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.