IQLT vs. IDEV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IQLT (iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF) and IDEV (iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from iShares - IQLT tracks the MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net) while IDEV tracks the MSCI World ex USA Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IQLT returned 7.38%/yr vs 8.48%/yr for IDEV. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IQLT charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for IDEV.

Performance

IQLT vs. IDEV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IQLT having a 8.54% return and IDEV slightly higher at 8.92%.

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%

IDEV

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 3.23%
• YTD: 8.92%
• 6M: 11.57%
• 1Y: 23.20%
• 3Y*: 17.40%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: —

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

IQLT vs. IDEV - 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%	15.71%
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF	8.92%	32.56%	4.54%	17.36%	-14.99%	13.00%	8.32%	23.12%	-14.10%	17.29%

Correlation

The correlation between IQLT and IDEV 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	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2017	0.96

The correlation between IQLT and IDEV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQLT vs. IDEV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQLT	IDEV
Financial Services	24.3%	24.2%
Industrials	17.3%	19.1%
Technology	11.6%	9.9%
Healthcare	9.8%	8.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.1%	7.7%
Basic Materials	7.2%	8.0%
Consumer Defensive	6.0%	6.0%
Energy	5.9%	5.9%
Communication Services	4.3%	4.0%
Utilities	3.8%	3.7%
Real Estate	1.6%	2.9%

Return for Risk

IQLT vs. IDEV — 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

IDEV

IDEV Risk / Return Rank: 45
IDEV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
IDEV Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IDEV Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IDEV Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
IDEV Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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. IDEV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) and iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV). 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	IDEV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	1.61	-0.44
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	2.29	-0.57
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.29	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	2.08	-0.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.63	8.16	-1.53
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. IDEV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQLT Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is comparable to the IDEV Sharpe Ratio of 1.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQLT and IDEV, 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	IDEV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	1.61	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.52	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.55	-0.05

Drawdowns

IQLT vs. IDEV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQLT drawdown since its inception was -32.21%, smaller than the maximum IDEV drawdown of -34.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQLT and IDEV.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQLT	IDEV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.21%	-34.77%	+2.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.38%	-11.20%	+0.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.18%	-13.41%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.24%	-29.15%	-1.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.20%	-0.98%	-0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.22%	-6.57%	+0.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	2.85%	-0.13%

Volatility

IQLT vs. IDEV - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) has a higher volatility of 4.99% compared to iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV) at 4.60%. This indicates that IQLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IDEV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQLT	IDEV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.99%	4.60%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.98%	12.10%	-0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.40%	14.51%	-0.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.45%	16.26%	+0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.98%	17.27%	-0.29%

IQLT vs. IDEV - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQLT has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than IDEV's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQLT vs. IDEV - Dividend Comparison

IQLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, less than IDEV's 3.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF	3.13%	3.40%	3.30%	3.07%	2.69%	3.05%	2.00%	3.18%	3.16%	1.54%	0.00%	0.00%
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 IDEV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, IQLT and IDEV 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 IDEV?

IQLT has higher volatility (4.99%) compared to IDEV (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQLT dropped -32.21% vs IDEV's -34.77%.

Which ETF is better, IQLT or IDEV?

On 5-year performance, IDEV leads with 8.48% vs 7.38% for IQLT. On fees, IDEV is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IDEV has been the lower-risk option at 4.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQLT or IDEV?

Over the 5-year period, IDEV has performed better with a 8.48% return vs 7.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQLT or IDEV?

IDEV is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for IQLT.

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

IDEV has the higher dividend yield at 3.13%, compared with 2.14% for IQLT.

What is the main difference between IQLT and IDEV?

IQLT tracks MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net), while IDEV tracks MSCI World ex USA Investable Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for IQLT and 0.05% for IDEV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDEV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.17), 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.