IEFA vs. IQLT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and IQLT (iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from iShares - IEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net) while IQLT tracks the MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 9.37%/yr vs 9.47%/yr for IQLT. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for IQLT.

Performance

IEFA vs. IQLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEFA achieves a 7.49% return, which is significantly higher than IQLT's 6.95% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IEFA having a 9.37% annualized return and IQLT not far ahead at 9.47%.

IEFA

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: -1.17%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 6M: 10.04%
• 1Y: 19.61%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 7.82%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

IQLT

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -1.86%
• YTD: 6.95%
• 6M: 9.15%
• 1Y: 15.00%
• 3Y*: 13.81%
• 5Y*: 6.84%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

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

IEFA vs. IQLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	7.49%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	11.63%	8.18%	22.64%	-14.14%	26.57%
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	6.95%	25.42%	1.54%	18.73%	-15.22%	12.94%	12.48%	28.18%	-10.76%	24.04%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and IQLT is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2015	0.89

The correlation between IEFA and IQLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. IQLT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEFA	IQLT
Financial Services	22.5%	24.3%
Industrials	20.1%	17.3%
Technology	10.8%	11.6%
Healthcare	9.5%	9.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	8.1%
Basic Materials	7.0%	7.2%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	6.0%
Communication Services	4.4%	4.3%
Energy	3.8%	5.9%
Utilities	3.6%	3.8%
Real Estate	3.0%	1.6%

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. IQLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IEFA

IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 40
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 43

IQLT

IQLT Risk / Return Rank: 32
IQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 29
IQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
IQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

IEFA vs. IQLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT). 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.

	IEFA	IQLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.03	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	1.52	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.18	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	1.45	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.52	5.50	+1.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IEFA vs. IQLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the IQLT Sharpe Ratio of 1.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and IQLT, 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

	IEFA	IQLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	1.03	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.42	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.56	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.49	+0.01

Drawdowns

IEFA vs. IQLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, which is greater than IQLT's maximum drawdown of -32.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and IQLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEFA	IQLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.78%	-32.21%	-2.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	-10.38%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.76%	-13.18%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.41%	-30.24%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.78%	-32.21%	-2.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.44%	-2.64%	+0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-6.22%	-0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	2.73%	+0.29%

Volatility

IEFA vs. IQLT - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) have volatilities of 4.54% and 4.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEFA	IQLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	4.50%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.74%	12.35%	+0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.22%	14.67%	+0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.55%	16.49%	+0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.32%	17.00%	+0.32%

IEFA vs. IQLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than IQLT's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEFA vs. IQLT - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, more than IQLT's 2.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	3.30%	3.55%	3.47%	3.20%	2.70%	3.32%	1.90%	3.18%	3.46%	2.57%	2.96%	2.63%
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	2.18%	2.33%	2.87%	2.27%	3.14%	2.24%	1.61%	2.28%	2.72%	2.36%	2.91%	2.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEFA and IQLT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, IEFA and IQLT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IEFA or IQLT?

IEFA has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to IQLT (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs IQLT's -32.21%.

Which ETF is better, IEFA or IQLT?

On 10-year performance, IQLT leads with 9.47% vs 9.37% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEFA or IQLT?

Over the 10-year period, IQLT has performed better with a 9.47% return vs 9.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEFA or IQLT?

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for IQLT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IEFA or IQLT?

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.30%, compared with 2.18% for IQLT.

What is the main difference between IEFA and IQLT?

IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while IQLT tracks MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.30% for IQLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 1.03), 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.