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IQLT vs. SQLV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IQLT vs. SQLV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

IQLT (iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF) and SQLV (Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. IQLT is passively managed, while SQLV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, IQLT returned 7.74%/yr vs 8.18%/yr for SQLV. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IQLT charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for SQLV.

Performance

IQLT vs. SQLV - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQLT achieves a 12.06% return, which is significantly lower than SQLV's 23.57% 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%

SQLV

1D
-0.45%
1M
1.00%
6M
18.55%
YTD
23.57%
1Y
37.64%
3Y*
12.11%
5Y*
8.18%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
9.92%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IQLT

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF
$80.44M$83.91M$72.09M

SQLV

Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF
$1.18M$614.27K$248.07K

IQLT vs. SQLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%7.84%
SQLV
Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF		23.57%2.50%4.76%21.21%-12.86%37.14%7.13%17.41%-10.55%8.84%

Correlation

The correlation between IQLT and SQLV is 0.56, 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.

0.56

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.61

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.64

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2017

0.53

The correlation between IQLT and SQLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (all time) to 0.64 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IQLT vs. SQLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IQLT
SQLV

Financial Services

26.4%
19.0%

Industrials

18.0%
10.3%

Technology

12.3%
15.9%

Healthcare

8.8%
18.7%

Consumer Cyclical

7.7%
13.8%

Basic Materials

6.7%
3.8%

Consumer Defensive

6.4%
7.4%

Energy

5.5%
4.0%

Utilities

3.7%
0.2%

Communication Services

2.4%
6.0%

Real Estate

1.5%
0.9%

Financial Services

IQLT
26.4%
SQLV
19.0%

Industrials

IQLT
18.0%
SQLV
10.3%

Technology

IQLT
12.3%
SQLV
15.9%

Healthcare

IQLT
8.8%
SQLV
18.7%

Consumer Cyclical

IQLT
7.7%
SQLV
13.8%

Basic Materials

IQLT
6.7%
SQLV
3.8%

Consumer Defensive

IQLT
6.4%
SQLV
7.4%

Energy

IQLT
5.5%
SQLV
4.0%

Utilities

IQLT
3.7%
SQLV
0.2%

Communication Services

IQLT
2.4%
SQLV
6.0%

Real Estate

IQLT
1.5%
SQLV
0.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF

Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF

Often compared with IQLT:
IQLT vs. VIGIIQLT vs. IEFAIQLT vs. SPYIQLT vs. QEFAIQLT vs. ACWXIQLT vs. VOOIQLT vs. DIHRX
Often compared with SQLV:
SQLV vs. RYSEXSQLV vs. CALFSQLV vs. XMESQLV vs. ROSCSQLV vs. QQQSQLV vs. VOOSQLV vs. XSVM

Return for Risk

IQLT vs. SQLV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IQLT
IQLT Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
IQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
IQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 6666
Omega Ratio Rank
IQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
IQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
SQLV
SQLV Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
SQLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8686
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SQLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 8888
Sortino Ratio Rank
SQLV Omega Ratio Rank: 8181
Omega Ratio Rank
SQLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 9090
Calmar Ratio Rank
SQLV Martin Ratio Rank: 8686
Martin Ratio Rank
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. SQLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) and Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV). 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.

IQLTSQLVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.58
2.02

-0.44

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.28
2.97

-0.69

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.34

-0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.30

3.95

-1.65

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.18

12.39

-3.21

IQLT vs. SQLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQLT Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is comparable to the SQLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQLT and SQLV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IQLT vs. SQLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQLT drawdown since its inception was -32.21%, smaller than the maximum SQLV drawdown of -48.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQLT and SQLV.

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Drawdown Indicators

IQLTSQLVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-32.21%

-48.34%

+16.13%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.38%

-8.84%

-1.54%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.18%

-26.86%

+13.68%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.24%

-26.86%

-3.38%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-32.21%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.81%

-1.74%

+0.93%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.15%

-8.80%

+2.65%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.59%

2.81%

-0.22%

Volatility

IQLT vs. SQLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) is 3.86%, while Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) has a volatility of 4.34%. This indicates that IQLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SQLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IQLTSQLVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.86%

4.34%

-0.48%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.95%

11.60%

+1.35%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.13%

17.33%

-2.20%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.57%

20.87%

-4.30%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.77%

23.24%

-6.47%

IQLT vs. SQLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQLT has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than SQLV's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQLT vs. SQLV - Dividend Comparison

IQLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.38%, more than SQLV's 0.95% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
SQLV
Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF		0.95%1.15%1.11%1.09%1.24%1.12%1.22%1.20%1.08%0.40%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

IQLT and SQLV have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SQLV has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to IQLT (3.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQLT dropped -32.21% vs SQLV's -48.34%.

On 5-year performance, SQLV leads with 8.18% vs 7.74% for IQLT. On fees, IQLT is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, IQLT has been the lower-risk option at 3.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, SQLV has performed better with a 8.18% return vs 7.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IQLT is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SQLV.

IQLT has the higher dividend yield at 2.38%, compared with 0.95% for SQLV.

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for IQLT and 0.60% for SQLV.

SQLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 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.

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