GQQQ vs. SQLV

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

GQQQ (Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF) and SQLV (Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, GQQQ returned 31.34% vs 40.15% for SQLV. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. GQQQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for SQLV.

Performance

GQQQ vs. SQLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF (GQQQ) and Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV). 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 SQLV's 28.52% return.

GQQQ

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

SQLV

• 1D: 1.57%
• 1M: 5.05%
• 6M: 22.39%
• YTD: 28.52%
• 1Y: 40.15%
• 3Y*: 14.09%
• 5Y*: 9.12%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.39%

*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)
GQQQ Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF	$376.02K	$626.74K	$598.32K
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	$1.24M	$617.56K	$258.67K

GQQQ vs. SQLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GQQQ Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF	20.73%	17.37%	1.52%
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	28.52%	2.50%	1.78%

Correlation

The correlation between GQQQ and SQLV is 0.44, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2024	0.54

The correlation between GQQQ and SQLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (1 year) to 0.54 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GQQQ vs. SQLV — 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

SQLV

SQLV Risk / Return Rank: 88
SQLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
SQLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SQLV Omega Ratio Rank: 84
SQLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SQLV Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. SQLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF (GQQQ) and Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV). 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	SQLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	2.34	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	3.41	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.39	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	4.56	-1.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	14.33	-3.45

GQQQ vs. SQLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the SQLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GQQQ and SQLV, 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. SQLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GQQQ drawdown since its inception was -22.36%, smaller than the maximum SQLV drawdown of -48.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQQQ and SQLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	GQQQ	SQLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.36%	-48.34%	+25.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.02%	-8.84%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.86%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	0.00%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.13%	-8.79%	+5.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	2.81%	+0.08%

Volatility

GQQQ vs. SQLV - Volatility Comparison

Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF (GQQQ) has a higher volatility of 6.31% compared to Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) at 5.11%. This indicates that GQQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SQLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GQQQ	SQLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.31%	5.11%	+1.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.43%	11.81%	+3.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.45%	17.34%	+1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.78%	20.91%	-0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.78%	23.25%	-2.47%

GQQQ vs. SQLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

GQQQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than SQLV's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

GQQQ vs. SQLV - Dividend Comparison

GQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than SQLV's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GQQQ Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF	0.45%	0.46%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	0.91%	1.15%	1.11%	1.09%	1.24%	1.12%	1.22%	1.20%	1.08%	0.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GQQQ and SQLV in my portfolio?

GQQQ and SQLV have a correlation of 0.44, 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 SQLV?

GQQQ has higher volatility (6.31%) compared to SQLV (5.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQQQ dropped -22.36% vs SQLV's -48.34%.

Which ETF is better, GQQQ or SQLV?

On 1-year performance, SQLV leads with 40.15% vs 31.34% for GQQQ. On fees, GQQQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SQLV has been the lower-risk option at 5.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GQQQ or SQLV?

Over the 1-year period, SQLV has performed better with a 40.15% 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 SQLV?

GQQQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SQLV.

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

SQLV has the higher dividend yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.45% for GQQQ.

What is the main difference between GQQQ and SQLV?

They also come from different issuers: Astoria and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for GQQQ and 0.60% for SQLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SQLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 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.