IVV vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVV returned 15.54%/yr vs 14.27%/yr for QUAL. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IVV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

IVV vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IVV achieves a 10.85% return, which is significantly higher than QUAL's 8.80% return. Over the past 10 years, IVV has outperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 15.54%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively lower 14.27% annualized return.

IVV

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 4.97%
• YTD: 10.85%
• 6M: 10.87%
• 1Y: 28.00%
• 3Y*: 22.43%
• 5Y*: 13.88%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

QUAL

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 8.80%
• 6M: 8.86%
• 1Y: 21.68%
• 3Y*: 19.66%
• 5Y*: 11.96%
• 10Y*: 14.27%

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

IVV vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	10.85%	17.85%	24.93%	26.31%	-18.16%	28.76%	18.40%	31.07%	-4.49%	21.75%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	8.80%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	17.04%	33.89%	-5.70%	22.26%

Correlation

The correlation between IVV and QUAL is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2013	0.96

The correlation between IVV and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

IVV vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVV	QUAL
Technology	35.6%	36.5%
Financial Services	11.8%	11.5%
Communication Services	11.2%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	9.3%
Healthcare	8.5%	9.0%
Industrials	8.3%	8.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	4.0%
Utilities	2.4%	1.9%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.7%

Return for Risk

IVV vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IVV

IVV Risk / Return Rank: 70
IVV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IVV Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IVV Omega Ratio Rank: 70
IVV Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IVV Martin Ratio Rank: 75

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 53
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

IVV vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.

	IVV	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	1.84	+0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.25	2.62	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.32	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	2.41	+0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.71	11.00	+3.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IVV vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVV Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVV and QUAL, 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

	IVV	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	1.84	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.69	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.79	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.80	-0.35

Drawdowns

IVV vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVV drawdown since its inception was -55.25%, which is greater than QUAL's maximum drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVV and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVV	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.25%	-34.06%	-21.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.89%	-9.03%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-18.00%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.53%	-28.23%	+3.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.90%	-34.06%	+0.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-0.16%	-0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-4.11%	-6.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	1.98%	-0.07%

Volatility

IVV vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) has a higher volatility of 2.87% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 2.51%. This indicates that IVV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IVV	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.87%	2.51%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.90%	9.03%	-0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.80%	11.83%	-0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.88%	17.33%	-0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	18.10%	-0.05%

IVV vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IVV vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

IVV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, more than QUAL's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	1.06%	1.17%	1.30%	1.44%	1.66%	1.20%	1.57%	1.85%	2.21%	1.75%	2.01%	2.27%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	0.88%	0.94%	1.02%	1.23%	1.59%	1.20%	1.39%	1.60%	2.00%	1.76%	1.96%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVV and QUAL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, IVV and QUAL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IVV or QUAL?

IVV has higher volatility (2.87%) compared to QUAL (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVV dropped -55.25% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, IVV or QUAL?

On 10-year performance, IVV leads with 15.54% vs 14.27% for QUAL. On fees, IVV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVV or QUAL?

Over the 10-year period, IVV has performed better with a 15.54% return vs 14.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVV or QUAL?

IVV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QUAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IVV or QUAL?

IVV has the higher dividend yield at 1.06%, compared with 0.88% for QUAL.

What is the main difference between IVV and QUAL?

IVV is categorized as S&P 500, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. IVV tracks S&P 500 Index, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for IVV and 0.15% for QUAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.84), 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.