IQSU vs. PFM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IQSU (IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF) and PFM (Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - IQSU tracks the IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index while PFM tracks the NASDAQ US Broad Dividend Achievers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IQSU returned 12.19%/yr vs 10.77%/yr for PFM. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IQSU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for PFM.

Performance

IQSU vs. PFM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) and Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF (PFM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQSU achieves a 11.76% return, which is significantly higher than PFM's 7.43% return.

IQSU

• 1D: -1.70%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 11.76%
• 6M: 10.69%
• 1Y: 26.97%
• 3Y*: 18.48%
• 5Y*: 12.19%
• 10Y*: —

PFM

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 7.43%
• 6M: 6.87%
• 1Y: 18.00%
• 3Y*: 15.64%
• 5Y*: 10.77%
• 10Y*: 11.76%

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

IQSU vs. PFM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	11.76%	14.44%	16.64%	32.96%	-22.10%	30.53%	28.24%	0.98%
PFM Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF	7.43%	14.00%	16.87%	11.40%	-6.22%	23.08%	9.53%	0.86%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSU and PFM is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2019	0.82

The correlation between IQSU and PFM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQSU vs. PFM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQSU	PFM
Technology	39.5%	27.6%
Consumer Cyclical	13.8%	3.7%
Communication Services	13.1%	1.1%
Financial Services	10.8%	17.9%
Industrials	5.9%	10.7%
Healthcare	5.1%	15.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	11.1%
Basic Materials	2.6%	2.8%
Real Estate	2.5%	2.0%
Utilities	2.0%	3.9%
Energy	1.2%	4.3%

Return for Risk

IQSU vs. PFM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQSU

IQSU Risk / Return Rank: 58
IQSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
IQSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
IQSU Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IQSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IQSU Martin Ratio Rank: 59

PFM

PFM Risk / Return Rank: 60
PFM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
PFM Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
PFM Omega Ratio Rank: 59
PFM Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
PFM Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

IQSU vs. PFM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) and Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF (PFM). 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.

	IQSU	PFM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.91	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	2.79	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.34	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.55	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.76	10.32	-0.56

IQSU vs. PFM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQSU Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the PFM Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQSU and PFM, 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

IQSU vs. PFM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSU drawdown since its inception was -31.29%, smaller than the maximum PFM drawdown of -53.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSU and PFM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSU	PFM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.29%	-53.21%	+21.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.18%	-7.09%	-4.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.96%	-14.50%	-6.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.76%	-17.81%	-8.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.20%	-1.01%	-1.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.95%	-6.93%	+0.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.77%	1.75%	+1.02%

Volatility

IQSU vs. PFM - Volatility Comparison

IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) has a higher volatility of 5.59% compared to Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF (PFM) at 2.48%. This indicates that IQSU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQSU	PFM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.59%	2.48%	+3.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.97%	7.21%	+3.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.58%	9.53%	+5.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.02%	13.51%	+4.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.69%	15.20%	+5.49%

IQSU vs. PFM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than PFM's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQSU vs. PFM - Dividend Comparison

IQSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than PFM's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	1.00%	1.09%	1.12%	1.15%	1.47%	1.07%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PFM Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF	1.36%	1.41%	1.58%	1.86%	1.95%	1.69%	1.92%	1.94%	2.27%	1.70%	2.56%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQSU and PFM in my portfolio?

IQSU and PFM have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQSU or PFM?

IQSU has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to PFM (2.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQSU dropped -31.29% vs PFM's -53.21%.

Which ETF is better, IQSU or PFM?

On 5-year performance, IQSU leads with 12.19% vs 10.77% for PFM. On fees, IQSU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, PFM has been the lower-risk option at 2.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQSU or PFM?

Over the 5-year period, IQSU has performed better with a 12.19% return vs 10.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSU or PFM?

IQSU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for PFM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQSU or PFM?

PFM has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 1.00% for IQSU.

What is the main difference between IQSU and PFM?

IQSU tracks IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index, while PFM tracks NASDAQ US Broad Dividend Achievers Index. They also come from different issuers: New York Life and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IQSU and 0.53% for PFM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.86), 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.