IQLT vs. FQITX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQLT (iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF) and FQITX (Fidelity SAI International Quality Index Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, IQLT returned 6.96%/yr vs 5.38%/yr for FQITX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IQLT charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for FQITX.

Performance

IQLT vs. FQITX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQLT achieves a 7.55% return, which is significantly higher than FQITX's 5.41% return.

IQLT

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: 1.73%
• YTD: 7.55%
• 6M: 9.41%
• 1Y: 16.72%
• 3Y*: 13.95%
• 5Y*: 6.96%
• 10Y*: 9.31%

FQITX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 5.41%
• 6M: 7.26%
• 1Y: 9.75%
• 3Y*: 9.87%
• 5Y*: 5.38%
• 10Y*: —

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

IQLT vs. FQITX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	7.55%	25.42%	1.54%	18.73%	-15.22%	12.94%	33.33%
FQITX Fidelity SAI International Quality Index Fund	5.41%	17.04%	1.04%	18.44%	-17.12%	14.00%	29.60%

Correlation

The correlation between IQLT and FQITX is 0.96 - 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	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2020	0.95

The correlation between IQLT and FQITX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IQLT vs. FQITX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQLT

IQLT Risk / Return Rank: 33
IQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
IQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 30
IQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
IQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 38

FQITX

FQITX Risk / Return Rank: 7
FQITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
FQITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
FQITX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
FQITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
FQITX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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. FQITX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) and Fidelity SAI International Quality Index Fund (FQITX). 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	FQITX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	0.54	+0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	0.87	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.10	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.62	0.67	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.16	2.31	+3.85
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. FQITX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQLT Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is higher than the FQITX Sharpe Ratio of 0.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQLT and FQITX, 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	FQITX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	0.54	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.32	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.63	-0.14

Drawdowns

IQLT vs. FQITX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQLT drawdown since its inception was -32.21%, roughly equal to the maximum FQITX drawdown of -31.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQLT and FQITX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQLT	FQITX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.21%	-31.39%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.38%	-12.89%	+2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.18%	-15.68%	+2.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.24%	-31.39%	+1.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.10%	-1.53%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.22%	-6.85%	+0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	3.75%	-1.03%

Volatility

IQLT vs. FQITX - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) has a higher volatility of 4.86% compared to Fidelity SAI International Quality Index Fund (FQITX) at 4.62%. This indicates that IQLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FQITX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQLT	FQITX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.86%	4.62%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.01%	13.08%	-1.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.40%	16.17%	-1.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.45%	16.65%	-0.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.98%	16.41%	+0.57%

IQLT vs. FQITX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQLT has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than FQITX's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQLT vs. FQITX - Dividend Comparison

IQLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.16%, more than FQITX's 1.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FQITX Fidelity SAI International Quality Index Fund	1.94%	2.04%	1.60%	2.54%	3.13%	11.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	2.16%	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 FQITX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, IQLT and FQITX 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 FQITX?

IQLT has higher volatility (4.86%) compared to FQITX (4.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQLT dropped -32.21% vs FQITX's -31.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs 0.54), 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.