IQLT vs. IMTM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IQLT (iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF) and IMTM (iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQLT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net), while IMTM is a Momentum fund tracking the MSCI World ex USA Momentum. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IQLT returned 10.17%/yr vs 10.44%/yr for IMTM. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.30% expense ratio.

Performance

IQLT vs. IMTM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQLT achieves a 9.81% return, which is significantly lower than IMTM's 11.53% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IQLT having a 10.17% annualized return and IMTM not far ahead at 10.44%.

IQLT

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.57%
• YTD: 9.81%
• 6M: 11.22%
• 1Y: 18.29%
• 3Y*: 14.25%
• 5Y*: 7.32%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

IMTM

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 11.53%
• 6M: 12.83%
• 1Y: 25.06%
• 3Y*: 21.00%
• 5Y*: 9.19%
• 10Y*: 10.44%

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

IQLT vs. IMTM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	9.81%	25.42%	1.54%	18.73%	-15.22%	12.94%	12.48%	28.18%	-10.76%	24.04%
IMTM iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF	11.53%	34.50%	12.17%	13.89%	-16.81%	3.50%	22.17%	24.52%	-14.31%	25.46%

Correlation

The correlation between IQLT and IMTM is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2015	0.83

The correlation between IQLT and IMTM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQLT vs. IMTM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQLT	IMTM
Financial Services	24.9%	28.6%
Industrials	17.8%	15.5%
Technology	11.8%	15.6%
Healthcare	9.2%	8.9%
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	1.8%
Basic Materials	7.2%	9.7%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	2.1%
Energy	5.6%	10.0%
Utilities	3.7%	5.3%
Communication Services	3.2%	1.5%
Real Estate	1.5%	1.1%

Return for Risk

IQLT vs. IMTM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQLT

IQLT Risk / Return Rank: 37
IQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
IQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
IQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 33
IQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
IQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 43

IMTM

IMTM Risk / Return Rank: 44
IMTM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
IMTM Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
IMTM Omega Ratio Rank: 43
IMTM Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
IMTM Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. IMTM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) and iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF (IMTM). 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.

	IQLT	IMTM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	1.33	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.67	1.96	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.25	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.63	1.86	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.18	7.37	-1.18

IQLT vs. IMTM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQLT Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is comparable to the IMTM Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQLT and IMTM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IQLT vs. IMTM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQLT drawdown since its inception was -32.21%, roughly equal to the maximum IMTM drawdown of -32.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQLT and IMTM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQLT	IMTM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.21%	-32.66%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.38%	-12.85%	+2.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.18%	-12.85%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.24%	-32.66%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.21%	-32.66%	+0.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.22%	+0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.21%	-7.43%	+1.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	3.24%	-0.50%

Volatility

IQLT vs. IMTM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) is 5.41%, while iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF (IMTM) has a volatility of 7.20%. This indicates that IQLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IMTM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQLT	IMTM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.41%	7.20%	-1.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.72%	16.06%	-3.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.00%	17.97%	-2.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.55%	17.82%	-1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.00%	17.63%	-0.63%

IQLT vs. IMTM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IQLT and IMTM have an expense ratio of 0.30%.

Dividends

IQLT vs. IMTM - Dividend Comparison

IQLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, less than IMTM's 4.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IMTM iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF	4.22%	4.70%	2.93%	2.29%	2.68%	2.51%	0.97%	2.13%	2.36%	1.92%	2.75%	1.56%
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	2.12%	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 IMTM in my portfolio?

IQLT and IMTM have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQLT or IMTM?

IMTM has higher volatility (7.20%) compared to IQLT (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQLT dropped -32.21% vs IMTM's -32.66%.

Which ETF is better, IQLT or IMTM?

On 10-year performance, IMTM leads with 10.44% vs 10.17% for IQLT. Both ETFs have the same 0.30% expense ratio. On volatility, IQLT has been the lower-risk option at 5.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQLT or IMTM?

Over the 10-year period, IMTM has performed better with a 10.44% return vs 10.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQLT or IMTM?

IQLT and IMTM have the same expense ratio: 0.30% per year.

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

IMTM has the higher dividend yield at 4.22%, compared with 2.12% for IQLT.

What is the main difference between IQLT and IMTM?

IQLT is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IMTM is Momentum. IQLT tracks MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net), while IMTM tracks MSCI World ex USA Momentum.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IMTM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 1.13), 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.