HGRO vs. EQLT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

HGRO (Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF) and EQLT (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. HGRO is actively managed, while EQLT is passively managed. Over the past year, HGRO returned 17.25% vs 47.25% for EQLT. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. HGRO charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for EQLT.

Performance

HGRO vs. EQLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF (HGRO) 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, HGRO achieves a 7.49% return, which is significantly lower than EQLT's 25.30% return.

HGRO

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: -1.29%
• 6M: 3.85%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 1Y: 17.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.93%

EQLT

• 1D: 1.99%
• 1M: 0.61%
• 6M: 15.96%
• YTD: 25.30%
• 1Y: 47.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 30.32%

*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	$66.04K	$56.95K	$121.40K
HGRO Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF	$1.36M	$1.39M	$1.92M

HGRO vs. EQLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HGRO Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF	7.49%	13.45%
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	25.30%	18.97%

Correlation

The correlation between HGRO and EQLT is 0.75, 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.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 11, 2025	0.73

The correlation between HGRO and EQLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HGRO vs. EQLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

HGRO

HGRO Risk / Return Rank: 48
HGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
HGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
HGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 42
HGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
HGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

EQLT

EQLT Risk / Return Rank: 82
EQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
EQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
EQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 80
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.

HGRO vs. EQLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF (HGRO) 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.

	HGRO	EQLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	2.03	-0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	2.63	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.36	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	3.96	-1.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.60	11.90	-5.30

HGRO vs. EQLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HGRO Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is lower than the EQLT Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HGRO 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

HGRO vs. EQLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HGRO drawdown since its inception was -7.61%, smaller than the maximum EQLT drawdown of -17.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HGRO and EQLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	HGRO	EQLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.61%	-17.38%	+9.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.61%	-12.00%	+4.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.99%	-6.54%	+2.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.65%	-3.81%	+2.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	3.98%	-1.36%

Volatility

HGRO vs. EQLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF (HGRO) is 4.10%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) has a volatility of 6.29%. This indicates that HGRO 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

	HGRO	EQLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.10%	6.29%	-2.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	21.12%	-10.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.04%	23.48%	-9.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.69%	21.27%	-7.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.69%	21.27%	-7.58%

HGRO vs. EQLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

HGRO has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than EQLT's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

HGRO vs. EQLT - Dividend Comparison

HGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, less than EQLT's 2.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	2.80%	3.10%	0.51%
HGRO Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF	0.07%	0.08%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HGRO and EQLT in my portfolio?

HGRO and EQLT have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HGRO or EQLT?

EQLT has higher volatility (6.29%) compared to HGRO (4.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HGRO dropped -7.61% vs EQLT's -17.38%.

Which ETF is better, HGRO or EQLT?

On 1-year performance, EQLT leads with 47.25% vs 17.25% for HGRO. On fees, EQLT is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, HGRO has been the lower-risk option at 4.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HGRO or EQLT?

Over the 1-year period, EQLT has performed better with a 47.25% return vs 17.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HGRO or EQLT?

EQLT is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for HGRO.

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

EQLT has the higher dividend yield at 2.80%, compared with 0.07% for HGRO.

What is the main difference between HGRO and EQLT?

They also come from different issuers: Hedgeye and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for HGRO and 0.35% for EQLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.24), 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.