QAI vs. EMPB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QAI (IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF) and EMPB (Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF) are both Long-Short funds. QAI is passively managed, while EMPB is actively managed. Over the past year, QAI returned 16.98% vs 21.40% for EMPB. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QAI charges 0.79%/yr vs 1.82%/yr for EMPB.

Performance

QAI vs. EMPB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) and Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF (EMPB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QAI achieves a 9.46% return, which is significantly lower than EMPB's 13.08% return.

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%

EMPB

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 5.31%
• YTD: 13.08%
• 6M: 12.18%
• 1Y: 21.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QAI vs. EMPB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	9.46%	8.29%	-1.42%
EMPB Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF	13.08%	14.84%	0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between QAI and EMPB is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2024	0.64

The correlation between QAI and EMPB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QAI vs. EMPB — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

EMPB

EMPB Risk / Return Rank: 58
EMPB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
EMPB Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
EMPB Omega Ratio Rank: 56
EMPB Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
EMPB Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

QAI vs. EMPB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) and Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF (EMPB). 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.

	QAI	EMPB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.86	1.89	+0.97
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.06	2.65	+1.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.35	+0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.57	3.52	+1.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.90	10.38	+8.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QAI vs. EMPB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QAI Sharpe Ratio is 2.86, which is higher than the EMPB Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QAI and EMPB, 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

	QAI	EMPB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.86	1.89	+0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	1.73	-1.15

Drawdowns

QAI vs. EMPB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QAI drawdown since its inception was -14.95%, which is greater than EMPB's maximum drawdown of -7.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QAI and EMPB.

Drawdown Indicators

	QAI	EMPB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.95%	-7.55%	-7.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.71%	-5.98%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.78%	—	—
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	0.00%	-0.50%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.57%	-1.50%	-1.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	2.03%	-1.13%

Volatility

QAI vs. EMPB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) is 2.01%, while Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF (EMPB) has a volatility of 2.57%. This indicates that QAI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMPB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QAI	EMPB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.01%	2.57%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.91%	8.47%	-3.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.97%	11.39%	-5.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.56%	11.83%	-5.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.17%	11.83%	-5.66%

QAI vs. EMPB - Expense Ratio Comparison

QAI has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than EMPB's 1.82% expense ratio.

Dividends

QAI vs. EMPB - Dividend Comparison

QAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.37%, more than EMPB's 0.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMPB Efficient Market Portfolio Plus ETF	0.78%	0.88%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 QAI and EMPB in my portfolio?

QAI and EMPB have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QAI or EMPB?

EMPB has higher volatility (2.57%) compared to QAI (2.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QAI dropped -14.95% vs EMPB's -7.55%.

Which ETF is better, QAI or EMPB?

On 1-year performance, EMPB leads with 21.40% vs 16.98% for QAI. On fees, QAI is cheaper at 0.79% 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, QAI or EMPB?

Over the 1-year period, EMPB has performed better with a 21.40% return vs 16.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QAI or EMPB?

QAI is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 1.82% for EMPB.

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

QAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 0.78% for EMPB.

What is the main difference between QAI and EMPB?

They also come from different issuers: New York Life and Empowered Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QAI and 1.82% for EMPB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 1.89), 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.