IQLT vs. FIEUX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IQLT (iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF) and FIEUX (Fidelity Europe Fund) are both funds - IQLT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net), while FIEUX is a Europe Equities fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, IQLT returned 9.41%/yr vs 8.12%/yr for FIEUX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IQLT charges 0.30%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for FIEUX.

Performance

IQLT vs. FIEUX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQLT achieves a 8.54% return, which is significantly higher than FIEUX's 6.71% return. Over the past 10 years, IQLT has outperformed FIEUX with an annualized return of 9.41%, while FIEUX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.12% annualized return.

IQLT

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 8.54%
• 6M: 11.18%
• 1Y: 16.76%
• 3Y*: 14.30%
• 5Y*: 7.38%
• 10Y*: 9.41%

FIEUX

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 2.62%
• YTD: 6.71%
• 6M: 10.55%
• 1Y: 17.87%
• 3Y*: 16.91%
• 5Y*: 5.60%
• 10Y*: 8.12%

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

IQLT vs. FIEUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	8.54%	25.42%	1.54%	18.73%	-15.22%	12.94%	12.48%	28.18%	-10.76%	24.04%
FIEUX Fidelity Europe Fund	6.71%	37.53%	4.21%	13.68%	-20.62%	6.63%	18.29%	24.43%	-17.22%	29.16%

Correlation

The correlation between IQLT and FIEUX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 16, 2015	0.84

The correlation between IQLT and FIEUX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IQLT vs. FIEUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQLT

IQLT Risk / Return Rank: 34
IQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
IQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
IQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 31
IQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
IQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 41

FIEUX

FIEUX Risk / Return Rank: 17
FIEUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
FIEUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
FIEUX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
FIEUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
FIEUX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

IQLT vs. FIEUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) and Fidelity Europe Fund (FIEUX). 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.

	IQLT	FIEUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	1.16	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	1.72	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.21	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	1.56	+0.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.63	5.81	+0.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQLT vs. FIEUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQLT Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is comparable to the FIEUX Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQLT and FIEUX, 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

	IQLT	FIEUX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	1.16	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.33	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.45	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.44	+0.05

Drawdowns

IQLT vs. FIEUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQLT drawdown since its inception was -32.21%, smaller than the maximum FIEUX drawdown of -59.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQLT and FIEUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQLT	FIEUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.21%	-59.96%	+27.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.38%	-12.38%	+2.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.18%	-13.27%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.24%	-38.04%	+7.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.21%	-38.04%	+5.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.20%	-1.01%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.22%	-14.04%	+7.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	3.32%	-0.60%

Volatility

IQLT vs. FIEUX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) is 4.99%, while Fidelity Europe Fund (FIEUX) has a volatility of 6.32%. This indicates that IQLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FIEUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQLT	FIEUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.99%	6.32%	-1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.98%	14.03%	-2.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.40%	16.35%	-1.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.45%	17.29%	-0.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.98%	17.94%	-0.96%

IQLT vs. FIEUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQLT has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than FIEUX's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQLT vs. FIEUX - Dividend Comparison

IQLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, more than FIEUX's 2.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIEUX Fidelity Europe Fund	2.09%	2.23%	3.28%	1.62%	0.00%	16.10%	1.15%	7.42%	11.93%	2.52%	1.51%	0.43%
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	2.14%	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 IQLT and FIEUX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, IQLT and FIEUX 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, IQLT or FIEUX?

FIEUX has higher volatility (6.32%) compared to IQLT (4.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQLT dropped -32.21% vs FIEUX's -59.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs 1.16), 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.