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QAT vs. VHT
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QAT vs. VHT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

QAT (iShares MSCI Qatar ETF) and VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QAT is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Qatar Capped Index, while VHT is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QAT returned 2.88%/yr vs 9.89%/yr for VHT. Their 0.20 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. QAT charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VHT.

Performance

QAT vs. VHT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QAT achieves a -4.44% return, which is significantly lower than VHT's 6.65% return. Over the past 10 years, QAT has underperformed VHT with an annualized return of 2.88%, while VHT has yielded a comparatively higher 9.89% annualized return.

QAT

1D
-0.46%
1M
-3.26%
6M
-8.76%
YTD
-4.44%
1Y
-7.45%
3Y*
1.12%
5Y*
2.65%
10Y*
2.88%
ALL TIME*
0.92%

VHT

1D
-0.76%
1M
-1.17%
6M
6.86%
YTD
6.65%
1Y
27.92%
3Y*
9.09%
5Y*
5.06%
10Y*
9.89%
ALL TIME*
9.92%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

QAT

iShares MSCI Qatar ETF
$941.21K$596.55K$1.10M

VHT

Vanguard Health Care ETF
$66.49M$76.90M$73.37M

QAT vs. VHT - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QAT
iShares MSCI Qatar ETF		-4.44%8.81%5.20%2.72%-7.23%14.42%6.94%-0.44%20.03%-11.66%
VHT
Vanguard Health Care ETF		6.65%15.46%2.66%2.52%-5.60%20.57%18.29%21.87%5.58%23.26%

Correlation

The correlation between QAT and VHT is 0.16, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.16

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.23

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.18

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.19

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2014

0.20

QAT vs. VHT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QAT
VHT

Financial Services

55.7%
0.0%

Basic Materials

11.9%

-

Industrials

8.6%
0.0%

Energy

7.7%

-

Communication Services

6.4%

-

Real Estate

3.9%

-

Utilities

2.5%

-

Technology

1.0%
0.4%

Healthcare

0.8%
99.2%

Consumer Cyclical

0.8%

-

Consumer Defensive

0.7%

-

Financial Services

QAT
55.7%
VHT
0.0%

Basic Materials

QAT
11.9%
VHT

-

Industrials

QAT
8.6%
VHT
0.0%

Energy

QAT
7.7%
VHT

-

Communication Services

QAT
6.4%
VHT

-

Real Estate

QAT
3.9%
VHT

-

Utilities

QAT
2.5%
VHT

-

Technology

QAT
1.0%
VHT
0.4%

Healthcare

QAT
0.8%
VHT
99.2%

Consumer Cyclical

QAT
0.8%
VHT

-

Consumer Defensive

QAT
0.7%
VHT

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI Qatar ETF

Vanguard Health Care ETF

Often compared with QAT:
QAT vs. UAEQAT vs. KSAQAT vs. ENORQAT vs. SJMQAT vs. EDENQAT vs. EIRLQAT vs. VOO
Often compared with VHT:
VHT vs. XLVVHT vs. VGHCXVHT vs. VOOVHT vs. FHLCVHT vs. VGHAXVHT vs. IXJVHT vs. IYH

Return for Risk

QAT vs. VHT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
QAT
QAT Risk / Return Rank: 44
Overall Rank
QAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
Sortino Ratio Rank
QAT Omega Ratio Rank: 44
Omega Ratio Rank
QAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
Calmar Ratio Rank
QAT Martin Ratio Rank: 44
Martin Ratio Rank
VHT
VHT Risk / Return Rank: 7777
Overall Rank
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8282
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 8787
Sortino Ratio Rank
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QAT vs. VHT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

QATVHTDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.56
1.89

-2.44

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-0.73
2.91

-3.63

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.91

1.33

-0.41

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.65

2.74

-3.39

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-1.14

6.79

-7.93

QAT vs. VHT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QAT Sharpe Ratio is -0.56, which is lower than the VHT Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QAT and VHT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

QAT vs. VHT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QAT drawdown since its inception was -45.21%, which is greater than VHT's maximum drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QAT and VHT.

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Drawdown Indicators

QATVHTDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-45.21%

-39.12%

-6.09%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.48%

-10.40%

-1.08%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.47%

-16.91%

+1.44%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-33.17%

-17.71%

-15.46%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.04%

-28.85%

-5.19%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-16.32%

-2.69%

-13.63%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.10%

-5.96%

-13.14%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

6.53%

4.19%

+2.34%

Volatility

QAT vs. VHT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT) is 3.27%, while Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) has a volatility of 5.54%. This indicates that QAT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VHT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QATVHTDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.27%

5.54%

-2.27%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.99%

11.64%

-0.65%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.33%

15.35%

-2.02%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.08%

15.25%

-0.17%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.49%

17.02%

+0.47%

QAT vs. VHT - Expense Ratio Comparison

QAT has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VHT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

QAT vs. VHT - Dividend Comparison

QAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.89%, more than VHT's 1.55% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
QAT
iShares MSCI Qatar ETF		4.89%3.51%5.90%3.92%4.78%2.33%2.63%3.57%4.63%4.10%3.51%4.49%
VHT
Vanguard Health Care ETF		1.55%1.61%1.53%1.36%1.33%1.14%1.21%1.89%1.38%1.31%1.45%1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

QAT and VHT have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VHT has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to QAT (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QAT dropped -45.21% vs VHT's -39.12%.

On 10-year performance, VHT leads with 9.89% vs 2.88% for QAT. On fees, VHT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, QAT has been the lower-risk option at 3.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VHT has performed better with a 9.89% return vs 2.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VHT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for QAT.

QAT has the higher dividend yield at 4.89%, compared with 1.55% for VHT.

QAT is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while VHT is Health & Biotech Equities. QAT tracks MSCI All Qatar Capped Index, while VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for QAT and 0.09% for VHT.

VHT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs -0.56), 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.

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