IAI vs. QTUM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IAI (iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF) and QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAI is a Financials Equities fund tracking the DJ US Select / Investment Services, while QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IAI returned 13.94%/yr vs 27.81%/yr for QTUM. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IAI charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for QTUM.

Performance

IAI vs. QTUM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) and Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAI achieves a 0.78% return, which is significantly lower than QTUM's 44.14% return.

IAI

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 1.41%
• YTD: 0.78%
• 6M: 1.27%
• 1Y: 15.88%
• 3Y*: 27.06%
• 5Y*: 13.94%
• 10Y*: 18.83%

QTUM

• 1D: 3.25%
• 1M: 8.85%
• YTD: 44.14%
• 6M: 39.20%
• 1Y: 80.80%
• 3Y*: 48.48%
• 5Y*: 27.81%
• 10Y*: —

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

IAI vs. QTUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	0.78%	25.80%	34.37%	15.27%	-10.87%	40.48%	18.61%	24.26%	-14.50%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	44.14%	36.65%	50.54%	39.86%	-28.80%	35.18%	42.05%	47.99%	-19.44%

Correlation

The correlation between IAI and QTUM is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2018	0.64

The correlation between IAI and QTUM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

IAI vs. QTUM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IAI	QTUM
Financial Services	99.9%	-
Technology	0.1%	85.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	4.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.6%
Industrials	-	8.7%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IAI vs. QTUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAI

IAI Risk / Return Rank: 24
IAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
IAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
IAI Omega Ratio Rank: 24
IAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
IAI Martin Ratio Rank: 23

QTUM

QTUM Risk / Return Rank: 89
QTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
QTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
QTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
QTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

IAI vs. QTUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) and Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). 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.

	IAI	QTUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	2.94	-2.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	3.42	-2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.47	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.97	5.32	-4.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.76	19.76	-17.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IAI vs. QTUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAI Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the QTUM Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAI and QTUM, 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

	IAI	QTUM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83	2.94	-2.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	1.04	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	1.03	-0.75

Drawdowns

IAI vs. QTUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAI drawdown since its inception was -75.46%, which is greater than QTUM's maximum drawdown of -38.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAI and QTUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAI	QTUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.46%	-38.45%	-37.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.52%	-15.26%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.14%	-25.39%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.84%	-38.45%	+9.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.06%	-6.53%	+1.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.65%	-8.25%	-14.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.77%	4.10%	+1.67%

Volatility

IAI vs. QTUM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) is 5.56%, while Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) has a volatility of 13.41%. This indicates that IAI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QTUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IAI	QTUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.56%	13.41%	-7.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.20%	22.31%	-7.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.37%	27.73%	-8.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.47%	26.85%	-5.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.86%	27.34%	-4.48%

IAI vs. QTUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAI has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than QTUM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAI vs. QTUM - Dividend Comparison

IAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, more than QTUM's 0.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	1.07%	0.95%	1.05%	1.80%	2.14%	1.31%	1.55%	1.52%	1.58%	1.37%	1.49%	1.31%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	0.74%	1.01%	0.61%	0.81%	1.46%	0.48%	0.42%	0.61%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAI and QTUM in my portfolio?

IAI and QTUM have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IAI or QTUM?

QTUM has higher volatility (13.41%) compared to IAI (5.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAI dropped -75.46% vs QTUM's -38.45%.

Which ETF is better, IAI or QTUM?

On 5-year performance, QTUM leads with 27.81% vs 13.94% for IAI. On fees, QTUM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, IAI has been the lower-risk option at 5.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAI or QTUM?

Over the 5-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 27.81% return vs 13.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAI or QTUM?

QTUM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for IAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IAI or QTUM?

IAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.07%, compared with 0.74% for QTUM.

What is the main difference between IAI and QTUM?

IAI is categorized as Financials Equities, while QTUM is Technology Equities. IAI tracks DJ US Select / Investment Services, while QTUM tracks BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for IAI and 0.40% for QTUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 0.82), 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.