IWFG vs. QAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWFG (NYLI Winslow Focused Large Cap Growth ETF) and QAI (IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWFG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by New York Life, while QAI is a Long-Short fund tracking the IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. IWFG is actively managed, while QAI is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IWFG returned 23.02%/yr vs 10.28%/yr for QAI. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWFG charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QAI.

Performance

IWFG vs. QAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NYLI Winslow Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (IWFG) 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, IWFG achieves a 2.08% return, which is significantly lower than QAI's 9.07% return.

IWFG

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: 4.41%
• YTD: 2.08%
• 6M: 1.13%
• 1Y: 11.87%
• 3Y*: 23.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QAI

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 2.48%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.63%
• 1Y: 16.35%
• 3Y*: 10.28%
• 5Y*: 4.57%
• 10Y*: 3.93%

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

IWFG vs. QAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
IWFG NYLI Winslow Focused Large Cap Growth ETF	2.08%	14.33%	37.56%	38.40%	3.75%
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	9.07%	8.29%	6.67%	10.07%	1.08%

Correlation

The correlation between IWFG and QAI is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2022	0.71

The correlation between IWFG and QAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWFG vs. QAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWFG	QAI
Technology	52.4%	21.9%
Communication Services	13.3%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	11.0%	7.3%
Industrials	7.5%	13.6%
Healthcare	5.5%	7.1%
Financial Services	4.8%	19.5%
Utilities	4.0%	3.8%
Basic Materials	-	5.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.7%
Energy	-	3.7%
Real Estate	-	2.9%

Return for Risk

IWFG vs. QAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWFG

IWFG Risk / Return Rank: 19
IWFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
IWFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
IWFG Omega Ratio Rank: 21
IWFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
IWFG Martin Ratio Rank: 17

QAI

QAI Risk / Return Rank: 85
QAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
QAI Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
QAI Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

IWFG vs. QAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NYLI Winslow Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (IWFG) 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.

	IWFG	QAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.72	2.74	-2.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.07	3.91	-2.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.55	-0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.59	4.42	-3.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.73	18.26	-16.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWFG vs. QAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWFG Sharpe Ratio is 0.72, which is lower than the QAI Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWFG 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

	IWFG	QAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72	2.74	-2.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.16	0.57	+0.59

Drawdowns

IWFG vs. QAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWFG drawdown since its inception was -21.97%, which is greater than QAI's maximum drawdown of -14.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWFG and QAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWFG	QAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.97%	-14.95%	-7.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.20%	-3.71%	-16.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.97%	-7.78%	-14.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.32%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-14.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.79%	-0.35%	-2.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.13%	-2.57%	-1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.89%	0.90%	+5.99%

Volatility

IWFG vs. QAI - Volatility Comparison

NYLI Winslow Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (IWFG) has a higher volatility of 3.85% compared to IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) at 2.06%. This indicates that IWFG'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

	IWFG	QAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	2.06%	+1.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.59%	4.91%	+7.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.50%	5.99%	+10.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.48%	6.55%	+13.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.48%	6.17%	+14.31%

IWFG vs. QAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWFG has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than QAI's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWFG vs. QAI - Dividend Comparison

IWFG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWFG NYLI Winslow Focused Large Cap Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	5.44%	1.01%	0.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	1.38%	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 IWFG and QAI in my portfolio?

IWFG and QAI have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWFG or QAI?

IWFG has higher volatility (3.85%) compared to QAI (2.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWFG dropped -21.97% vs QAI's -14.95%.

Which ETF is better, IWFG or QAI?

On 3-year performance, IWFG leads with 23.02% vs 10.28% for QAI. On fees, IWFG is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, QAI has been the lower-risk option at 2.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWFG or QAI?

Over the 3-year period, IWFG has performed better with a 23.02% return vs 10.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWFG or QAI?

IWFG is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QAI.

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

QAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.38%, compared with 0.00% for IWFG.

What is the main difference between IWFG and QAI?

IWFG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QAI is Long-Short. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IWFG and 0.79% for QAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 0.72), 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.