IQLT vs. QDEF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IQLT (iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF) and QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - IQLT tracks the MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net) while QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IQLT returned 9.70%/yr vs 12.14%/yr for QDEF. Their 0.69 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IQLT charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDEF.

Performance

IQLT vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQLT achieves a 12.06% return, which is significantly higher than QDEF's 10.48% return. Over the past 10 years, IQLT has underperformed QDEF with an annualized return of 9.70%, while QDEF has yielded a comparatively higher 12.14% annualized return.

IQLT

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 1.15%
• 6M: 6.98%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 1Y: 24.16%
• 3Y*: 14.51%
• 5Y*: 7.74%
• 10Y*: 9.70%
• ALL TIME*: 8.64%

QDEF

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.68%
• 6M: 8.64%
• YTD: 10.48%
• 1Y: 20.97%
• 3Y*: 17.66%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 12.14%
• ALL TIME*: 12.72%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	$80.44M	$83.91M	$72.09M
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	$546.87K	$522.47K	$732.31K

IQLT vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	12.06%	25.42%	1.54%	18.73%	-15.22%	12.94%	12.48%	28.18%	-10.76%	24.04%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	10.48%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	24.90%	-4.10%	17.04%

Correlation

The correlation between IQLT and QDEF is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2015	0.69

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

IQLT vs. QDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQLT	QDEF
Financial Services	26.4%	11.7%
Industrials	18.0%	5.5%
Technology	12.3%	35.6%
Healthcare	8.8%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	7.3%
Basic Materials	6.7%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	7.3%
Energy	5.5%	4.2%
Utilities	3.7%	3.6%
Communication Services	2.4%	5.8%
Real Estate	1.5%	3.9%

Return for Risk

IQLT vs. QDEF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IQLT

IQLT Risk / Return Rank: 69
IQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
IQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 66
IQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
IQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 74

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 85
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 86

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IQLT vs. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). 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	QDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	2.07	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	2.94	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.38	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.93	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.18	12.20	-3.02

IQLT vs. QDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQLT Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is comparable to the QDEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQLT and QDEF, 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. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQLT drawdown since its inception was -32.21%, smaller than the maximum QDEF drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQLT and QDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQLT	QDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.21%	-35.74%	+3.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.38%	-6.95%	-3.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.18%	-14.43%	+1.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.24%	-21.37%	-8.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.21%	-35.74%	+3.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	-0.58%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.15%	-3.27%	-2.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	1.67%	+0.92%

Volatility

IQLT vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) has a higher volatility of 3.86% compared to FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) at 2.29%. This indicates that IQLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQLT	QDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.86%	2.29%	+1.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.95%	7.47%	+5.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.13%	9.85%	+5.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.57%	13.77%	+2.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.77%	16.14%	+0.63%

IQLT vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQLT has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than QDEF's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQLT vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison

IQLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.38%, more than QDEF's 1.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	2.38%	2.33%	2.87%	2.27%	3.14%	2.24%	1.61%	2.28%	2.72%	2.36%	2.91%	2.78%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	1.58%	1.74%	1.85%	2.21%	2.42%	1.84%	2.50%	3.17%	7.10%	2.70%	2.90%	3.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQLT and QDEF in my portfolio?

IQLT and QDEF have a correlation of 0.75, 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 QDEF?

IQLT has higher volatility (3.86%) compared to QDEF (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQLT dropped -32.21% vs QDEF's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, IQLT or QDEF?

On 10-year performance, QDEF leads with 12.14% vs 9.70% for IQLT. On fees, IQLT is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, QDEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQLT or QDEF?

Over the 10-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 12.14% return vs 9.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQLT or QDEF?

IQLT is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDEF.

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

IQLT has the higher dividend yield at 2.38%, compared with 1.58% for QDEF.

What is the main difference between IQLT and QDEF?

IQLT tracks MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net), while QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for IQLT and 0.37% for QDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.58), 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.