GARP vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

GARP (iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GARP is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GARP returned 19.24%/yr vs 11.82%/yr for QUAL. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

GARP vs. QUAL - 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 USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GARP achieves a 17.00% return, which is significantly higher than QUAL's 7.89% return.

GARP

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: 3.36%
• YTD: 17.00%
• 6M: 16.58%
• 1Y: 37.42%
• 3Y*: 32.09%
• 5Y*: 19.24%
• 10Y*: —

QUAL

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 7.89%
• 6M: 8.26%
• 1Y: 19.70%
• 3Y*: 19.43%
• 5Y*: 11.82%
• 10Y*: 14.19%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GARP vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	17.00%	21.49%	37.42%	42.86%	-26.75%	27.99%	26.51%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	7.89%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	13.37%

Correlation

The correlation between GARP and QUAL is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2020	0.88

The correlation between GARP and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

GARP vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GARP	QUAL
Technology	56.7%	36.5%
Communication Services	12.0%	11.1%
Financial Services	7.5%	11.5%
Industrials	6.9%	8.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.1%	9.3%
Healthcare	5.4%	9.0%
Energy	2.7%	4.0%
Utilities	1.4%	1.9%
Basic Materials	0.9%	1.7%
Real Estate	0.4%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%

Return for Risk

GARP vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GARP

GARP Risk / Return Rank: 65
GARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
GARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
GARP Omega Ratio Rank: 64
GARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
GARP Martin Ratio Rank: 66

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 54
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

GARP vs. QUAL - 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 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.

	GARP	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	1.65	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.34	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.29	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	2.19	+0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.94	9.96	+0.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GARP vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GARP Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GARP 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GARP	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	1.65	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88	0.68	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.80	+0.07

Drawdowns

GARP vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GARP drawdown since its inception was -31.34%, smaller than the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GARP and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	GARP	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.34%	-34.06%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.69%	-9.03%	-4.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.73%	-18.00%	-5.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.61%	-28.23%	-2.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.24%	-1.61%	-2.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.36%	-4.10%	-3.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	1.98%	+1.45%

Volatility

GARP vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) has a higher volatility of 6.79% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 3.12%. This indicates that GARP'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.

Volatility by Period

	GARP	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.79%	3.12%	+3.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.70%	9.28%	+5.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.47%	12.01%	+6.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.06%	17.35%	+4.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.94%	18.11%	+5.83%

GARP vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GARP and QUAL have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GARP vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

GARP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.26%, less than QUAL's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	0.26%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	0.88%	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

Can I hold both GARP and QUAL in my portfolio?

GARP and QUAL have a correlation of 0.87, 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 QUAL?

GARP has higher volatility (6.79%) compared to QUAL (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GARP dropped -31.34% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, GARP or QUAL?

On 5-year performance, GARP leads with 19.24% vs 11.82% for QUAL. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GARP or QUAL?

Over the 5-year period, GARP has performed better with a 19.24% return vs 11.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GARP or QUAL?

GARP and QUAL have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

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

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.26% for GARP.

What is the main difference between GARP and QUAL?

GARP is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. GARP tracks MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GARP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.65), 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.