IWS vs. QVAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWS (iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF) and QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. IWS is passively managed, while QVAL is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWS returned 10.23%/yr vs 11.64%/yr for QVAL. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWS charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for QVAL.

Performance

IWS vs. QVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IWS having a 15.06% return and QVAL slightly lower at 14.68%. Over the past 10 years, IWS has underperformed QVAL with an annualized return of 10.23%, while QVAL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.64% annualized return.

IWS

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 3.74%
• YTD: 15.06%
• 6M: 15.13%
• 1Y: 27.01%
• 3Y*: 17.40%
• 5Y*: 8.37%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

QVAL

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: 12.15%
• 10Y*: 11.64%

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

IWS vs. QVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	15.06%	10.82%	12.91%	12.52%	-12.29%	28.10%	4.83%	26.73%	-12.43%	13.14%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	14.68%	10.98%	12.21%	28.40%	-11.80%	34.40%	-5.93%	24.06%	-17.28%	25.59%

Correlation

The correlation between IWS and QVAL is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.86

The correlation between IWS and QVAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWS vs. QVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWS	QVAL
Industrials	16.7%	15.0%
Technology	16.5%	16.7%
Financial Services	14.1%	-
Real Estate	8.6%	2.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	32.4%
Energy	8.1%	5.5%
Healthcare	7.3%	11.1%
Utilities	7.0%	-
Basic Materials	5.4%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	7.9%
Communication Services	3.1%	3.8%

Return for Risk

IWS vs. QVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWS

IWS Risk / Return Rank: 65
IWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
IWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IWS Omega Ratio Rank: 58
IWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IWS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 69
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

IWS vs. QVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). 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.

	IWS	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.07	0.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	3.21	-0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.35	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	4.93	-1.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.59	13.98	-0.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWS vs. QVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWS Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the QVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWS and QVAL, 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

	IWS	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.07	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.56	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.51	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.49	-0.07

Drawdowns

IWS vs. QVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWS drawdown since its inception was -62.40%, which is greater than QVAL's maximum drawdown of -51.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWS and QVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWS	QVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.40%	-51.49%	-10.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.53%	-6.04%	-1.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.57%	-21.41%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.23%	-27.17%	+5.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.83%	-51.49%	+7.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.78%	+0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-7.80%	-0.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	2.13%	-0.14%

Volatility

IWS vs. QVAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS) is 3.40%, while Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) has a volatility of 4.16%. This indicates that IWS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWS	QVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	4.16%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.57%	10.06%	-0.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.19%	14.44%	-1.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.30%	21.63%	-4.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.36%	22.79%	-3.43%

IWS vs. QVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWS has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is lower than QVAL's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWS vs. QVAL - Dividend Comparison

IWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%, less than QVAL's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWS iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.34%	1.53%	1.50%	1.76%	1.93%	1.39%	1.87%	1.97%	2.53%	1.96%	2.10%	2.14%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.46%	1.44%	1.72%	1.76%	2.00%	1.23%	1.86%	1.99%	1.64%	1.08%	1.30%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWS and QVAL in my portfolio?

IWS and QVAL have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWS or QVAL?

QVAL has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to IWS (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWS dropped -62.40% vs QVAL's -51.49%.

Which ETF is better, IWS or QVAL?

On 10-year performance, QVAL leads with 11.64% vs 10.23% for IWS. On fees, IWS is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, IWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWS or QVAL?

Over the 10-year period, QVAL has performed better with a 11.64% return vs 10.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWS or QVAL?

IWS is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for QVAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IWS or QVAL?

QVAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 1.34% for IWS.

What is the main difference between IWS and QVAL?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for IWS and 0.28% for QVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 2.06), 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.