IQSU vs. QAI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IQSU (IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF) and QAI (IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQSU is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index, while QAI is a Long-Short fund tracking the IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IQSU returned 13.18%/yr vs 4.76%/yr for QAI. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IQSU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QAI.

Performance

IQSU vs. QAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) and IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQSU achieves a 13.58% return, which is significantly higher than QAI's 9.46% return.

IQSU

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 6.55%
• YTD: 13.58%
• 6M: 14.50%
• 1Y: 30.67%
• 3Y*: 19.82%
• 5Y*: 13.18%
• 10Y*: —

QAI

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 2.80%
• YTD: 9.46%
• 6M: 10.26%
• 1Y: 16.98%
• 3Y*: 10.41%
• 5Y*: 4.76%
• 10Y*: 3.96%

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

IQSU vs. QAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	13.58%	14.44%	16.64%	32.96%	-22.10%	30.53%	28.24%	1.24%
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	9.46%	8.29%	6.67%	10.07%	-8.68%	-0.16%	5.73%	0.31%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSU and QAI is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2019	0.74

The correlation between IQSU and QAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQSU vs. QAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQSU	QAI
Technology	34.0%	21.9%
Communication Services	15.0%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	14.8%	7.3%
Financial Services	11.7%	19.5%
Industrials	6.8%	13.6%
Healthcare	6.2%	7.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	3.7%
Real Estate	2.8%	2.9%
Basic Materials	2.7%	5.3%
Energy	1.3%	3.7%
Utilities	1.2%	3.8%

Return for Risk

IQSU vs. QAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQSU

IQSU Risk / Return Rank: 62
IQSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
IQSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
IQSU Omega Ratio Rank: 66
IQSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
IQSU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

QAI

QAI Risk / Return Rank: 87
QAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
QAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
QAI Omega Ratio Rank: 89
QAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
QAI Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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. QAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) and IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI). 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.

	IQSU	QAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	2.86	-0.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	4.06	-1.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.57	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	4.57	-1.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.19	18.90	-7.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQSU vs. QAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQSU Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the QAI Sharpe Ratio of 2.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQSU and QAI, 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

	IQSU	QAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23	2.86	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.73	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.58	+0.22

Drawdowns

IQSU vs. QAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSU drawdown since its inception was -31.29%, which is greater than QAI's maximum drawdown of -14.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSU and QAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSU	QAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.29%	-14.95%	-16.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.18%	-3.71%	-7.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.96%	-7.78%	-13.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.76%	-14.32%	-12.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-14.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	0.00%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-2.57%	-3.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	0.90%	+1.84%

Volatility

IQSU vs. QAI - Volatility Comparison

IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) has a higher volatility of 3.66% compared to IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) at 2.01%. This indicates that IQSU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQSU	QAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.66%	2.01%	+1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.82%	4.91%	+4.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.84%	5.97%	+7.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.88%	6.56%	+11.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.68%	6.17%	+14.51%

IQSU vs. QAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than QAI's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQSU vs. QAI - Dividend Comparison

IQSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, less than QAI's 1.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	0.97%	1.09%	1.12%	1.15%	1.47%	1.07%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	1.37%	1.50%	2.22%	4.08%	2.00%	0.28%	1.98%	1.91%	1.90%	0.00%	0.00%	0.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQSU and QAI in my portfolio?

IQSU and QAI have a correlation of 0.81, 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 QAI?

IQSU has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to QAI (2.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQSU dropped -31.29% vs QAI's -14.95%.

Which ETF is better, IQSU or QAI?

On 5-year performance, IQSU leads with 13.18% vs 4.76% for QAI. On fees, IQSU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, QAI has been the lower-risk option at 2.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQSU or QAI?

Over the 5-year period, IQSU has performed better with a 13.18% return vs 4.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSU or QAI?

IQSU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QAI.

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

QAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 0.97% for IQSU.

What is the main difference between IQSU and QAI?

IQSU is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QAI is Long-Short. IQSU tracks IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index, while QAI tracks IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IQSU and 0.79% for QAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 2.23), 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.