IQDF vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQDF (FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQDF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IQDF returned 9.66%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IQDF charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

IQDF vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund (IQDF) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQDF achieves a 15.38% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, IQDF has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.66%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

IQDF

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: 5.16%
• YTD: 15.38%
• 6M: 18.18%
• 1Y: 35.90%
• 3Y*: 22.80%
• 5Y*: 10.43%
• 10Y*: 9.66%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

IQDF vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IQDF FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund	15.38%	35.42%	6.62%	20.10%	-14.69%	10.18%	3.54%	20.96%	-17.39%	23.87%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between IQDF and SPY is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 17, 2013	0.75

The correlation between IQDF and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQDF vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQDF	SPY
Financial Services	25.9%	11.8%
Technology	15.6%	35.9%
Industrials	13.2%	7.8%
Basic Materials	8.3%	1.8%
Energy	7.2%	3.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	10.3%
Healthcare	6.0%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	4.8%
Communication Services	4.9%	11.3%
Utilities	3.9%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.9%

Return for Risk

IQDF vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQDF

IQDF Risk / Return Rank: 74
IQDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
IQDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
IQDF Omega Ratio Rank: 73
IQDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IQDF Martin Ratio Rank: 73

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

IQDF vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund (IQDF) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	IQDF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.38	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.35	3.24	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.43	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	3.16	+0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.93	14.72	-0.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQDF vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQDF Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQDF and SPY, 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

	IQDF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	2.38	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.82	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.87	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.59	-0.14

Drawdowns

IQDF vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQDF drawdown since its inception was -39.83%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQDF and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQDF	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.83%	-55.19%	+15.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.03%	-8.88%	-1.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.92%	-18.76%	+4.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.34%	-24.50%	-5.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.83%	-33.72%	-6.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.02%	-0.70%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.34%	-9.05%	-0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	1.91%	+0.67%

Volatility

IQDF vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund (IQDF) has a higher volatility of 5.63% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that IQDF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQDF	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	2.84%	+2.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.23%	8.90%	+3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.44%	11.83%	+2.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.49%	17.05%	-1.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.63%	17.94%	-1.31%

IQDF vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQDF has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQDF vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

IQDF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.77%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IQDF FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund	2.77%	3.27%	6.72%	6.06%	5.59%	4.13%	3.31%	4.46%	5.78%	3.89%	3.75%	4.27%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQDF and SPY in my portfolio?

IQDF and SPY have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQDF or SPY?

IQDF has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQDF dropped -39.83% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, IQDF or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 9.66% for IQDF. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQDF or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 9.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQDF or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IQDF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQDF or SPY?

IQDF has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between IQDF and SPY?

IQDF is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. IQDF tracks Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IQDF and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQDF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.38), 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.