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IGF vs. QUAL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IGF vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

IGF (iShares Global Infrastructure ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGF is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Infrastructure Index (Net), while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGF returned 8.40%/yr vs 14.37%/yr for QUAL. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IGF charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

IGF vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGF achieves a 9.67% return, which is significantly higher than QUAL's 9.12% return. Over the past 10 years, IGF has underperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 8.40%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively higher 14.37% annualized return.

IGF

1D
0.58%
1M
-0.16%
YTD
9.67%
6M
10.73%
1Y
18.46%
3Y*
15.62%
5Y*
10.85%
10Y*
8.40%

QUAL

1D
0.67%
1M
0.88%
YTD
9.12%
6M
9.00%
1Y
24.08%
3Y*
18.63%
5Y*
12.35%
10Y*
14.37%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IGF vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IGF
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF		9.67%21.31%14.81%6.14%-1.26%11.57%-6.50%25.82%-9.95%19.31%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		9.12%12.65%22.29%30.88%-20.50%26.94%17.04%33.89%-5.70%22.26%

Correlation

The correlation between IGF and QUAL is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.49

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.46

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.57

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.63

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2013

0.65

The correlation between IGF and QUAL shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (3 years) to 0.65 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IGF vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IGF
QUAL

Industrials

40.6%
7.2%

Utilities

39.7%
2.1%

Energy

19.6%
3.2%

Real Estate

0.1%
1.8%

Basic Materials

-

1.9%

Communication Services

-

11.8%

Consumer Cyclical

-

9.3%

Consumer Defensive

-

4.4%

Financial Services

-

10.8%

Healthcare

-

8.7%

Technology

-

38.8%

Industrials

IGF
40.6%
QUAL
7.2%

Utilities

IGF
39.7%
QUAL
2.1%

Energy

IGF
19.6%
QUAL
3.2%

Real Estate

IGF
0.1%
QUAL
1.8%

Basic Materials

IGF

-

QUAL
1.9%

Communication Services

IGF

-

QUAL
11.8%

Consumer Cyclical

IGF

-

QUAL
9.3%

Consumer Defensive

IGF

-

QUAL
4.4%

Financial Services

IGF

-

QUAL
10.8%

Healthcare

IGF

-

QUAL
8.7%

Technology

IGF

-

QUAL
38.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Global Infrastructure ETF

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

Often compared with IGF:
IGF vs. IFRAIGF vs. GIIIGF vs. NFRAIGF vs. SPYIGF vs. GLIFXIGF vs. VPUIGF vs. XLU
Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

IGF vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IGF
IGF Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
IGF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5252
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IGF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5353
Sortino Ratio Rank
IGF Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
IGF Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
IGF Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 6161
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6262
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6161
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5959
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IGF vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.

IGFQUALDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.72
1.95

-0.23

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.44
2.75

-0.30

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.34

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.10

2.60

+0.50

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.83

11.89

-3.06

IGF vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGF Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGF and QUAL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IGF vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGF drawdown since its inception was -58.33%, which is greater than QUAL's maximum drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGF and QUAL.

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Drawdown Indicators

IGFQUALDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.33%

-34.06%

-24.27%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.87%

-9.03%

+3.16%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.28%

-18.00%

+3.72%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.83%

-28.23%

+7.40%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.11%

-34.06%

-8.05%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.99%

-1.51%

-1.48%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.85%

-4.09%

-7.76%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.06%

1.97%

+0.09%

Volatility

IGF vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) is 3.45%, while iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) has a volatility of 4.02%. This indicates that IGF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IGFQUALDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.45%

4.02%

-0.57%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.73%

9.61%

-0.88%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.57%

12.10%

-1.53%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.97%

17.38%

-3.41%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.83%

18.12%

-1.29%

IGF vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGF has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGF vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

IGF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.91%, more than QUAL's 0.87% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IGF
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF		2.91%3.23%3.21%3.36%2.67%2.42%2.33%3.27%3.52%2.95%2.98%3.25%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		0.87%0.94%1.02%1.23%1.59%1.20%1.39%1.60%2.00%1.76%1.96%1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

IGF and QUAL have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QUAL has higher volatility (4.02%) compared to IGF (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGF dropped -58.33% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.37% vs 8.40% for IGF. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, IGF has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 14.37% return vs 8.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for IGF.

IGF has the higher dividend yield at 2.91%, compared with 0.87% for QUAL.

IGF is categorized as Industrials Equities, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. IGF tracks S&P Global Infrastructure Index (Net), while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for IGF and 0.15% for QUAL.

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.72), 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.

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