GQQQ vs. EQLT

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

GQQQ (Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF) and EQLT (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. GQQQ is actively managed, while EQLT is passively managed. Over the past year, GQQQ returned 31.34% vs 49.51% for EQLT. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

GQQQ vs. EQLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF (GQQQ) 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, GQQQ achieves a 20.73% return, which is significantly lower than EQLT's 28.59% return.

GQQQ

• 1D: 2.37%
• 1M: 2.54%
• 6M: 17.66%
• YTD: 20.73%
• 1Y: 31.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.85%

EQLT

• 1D: 2.63%
• 1M: 3.26%
• 6M: 17.89%
• YTD: 28.59%
• 1Y: 49.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 32.06%

*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	$71.55K	$57.78K	$117.19K
GQQQ Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF	$376.02K	$626.74K	$598.32K

GQQQ vs. EQLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GQQQ Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF	20.73%	17.37%	1.52%
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	28.59%	33.93%	-8.05%

Correlation

The correlation between GQQQ and EQLT is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2024	0.68

The correlation between GQQQ and EQLT shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (all time) to 0.81 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GQQQ vs. EQLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

GQQQ

GQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 67
GQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
GQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
GQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 59
GQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
GQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 76

EQLT

EQLT Risk / Return Rank: 82
EQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
EQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
EQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 79
EQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
EQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

GQQQ vs. EQLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF (GQQQ) 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.

	GQQQ	EQLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	2.11	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	2.73	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.37	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	4.15	-1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	12.45	-1.57

GQQQ vs. EQLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the EQLT Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GQQQ 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

GQQQ vs. EQLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GQQQ drawdown since its inception was -22.36%, which is greater than EQLT's maximum drawdown of -17.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQQQ and EQLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	GQQQ	EQLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.36%	-17.38%	-4.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.02%	-12.00%	+0.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	-4.08%	+3.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.13%	-3.81%	+0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	3.99%	-1.10%

Volatility

GQQQ vs. EQLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF (GQQQ) is 6.31%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) has a volatility of 6.65%. This indicates that GQQQ 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

	GQQQ	EQLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.31%	6.65%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.43%	21.25%	-5.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.45%	23.56%	-5.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.78%	21.33%	-0.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.78%	21.33%	-0.55%

GQQQ vs. EQLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GQQQ and EQLT have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

GQQQ vs. EQLT - Dividend Comparison

GQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than EQLT's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	2.72%	3.10%	0.51%
GQQQ Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF	0.45%	0.46%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GQQQ and EQLT in my portfolio?

GQQQ and EQLT have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GQQQ or EQLT?

EQLT has higher volatility (6.65%) compared to GQQQ (6.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQQQ dropped -22.36% vs EQLT's -17.38%.

Which ETF is better, GQQQ or EQLT?

On 1-year performance, EQLT leads with 49.51% vs 31.34% for GQQQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. On volatility, GQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 6.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GQQQ or EQLT?

Over the 1-year period, EQLT has performed better with a 49.51% return vs 31.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GQQQ or EQLT?

GQQQ and EQLT have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

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

EQLT has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 0.45% for GQQQ.

What is the main difference between GQQQ and EQLT?

They also come from different issuers: Astoria and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.71), 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.