QEFA vs. IQLT

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF (QEFA) and iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT).

QEFA and IQLT are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. QEFA is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the MSCI EAFE Factor Mix A-Series (USD). It was launched on Jun 4, 2014. IQLT is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality. It was launched on Jan 13, 2015. Both QEFA and IQLT are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

QEFA vs. IQLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF (QEFA) and iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

QEFA vs. IQLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QEFA SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF	2.87%	29.25%	2.27%	17.40%	-14.03%	12.50%	6.76%	21.91%	-10.39%	24.03%
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	1.72%	25.42%	1.54%	18.73%	-15.22%	12.94%	12.48%	28.18%	-10.76%	24.04%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QEFA achieves a 2.87% return, which is significantly higher than IQLT's 1.72% return. Over the past 10 years, QEFA has underperformed IQLT with an annualized return of 8.65%, while IQLT has yielded a comparatively higher 9.09% annualized return.

QEFA

• 1D: 2.37%
• 1M: -6.51%
• YTD: 2.87%
• 6M: 7.62%
• 1Y: 22.10%
• 3Y*: 13.86%
• 5Y*: 8.19%
• 10Y*: 8.65%

IQLT

• 1D: 3.15%
• 1M: -6.96%
• YTD: 1.72%
• 6M: 5.66%
• 1Y: 19.32%
• 3Y*: 12.17%
• 5Y*: 7.25%
• 10Y*: 9.09%

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

QEFA vs. IQLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QEFA and IQLT have an expense ratio of 0.30%.

QEFA

SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF

IQLT

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF

Return for Risk

QEFA vs. IQLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

QEFA

QEFA Risk / Return Rank: 80
QEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
QEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 78
QEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
QEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 80

IQLT

IQLT Risk / Return Rank: 69
IQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
IQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 66
IQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

QEFA vs. IQLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF (QEFA) and iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT). 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.

	QEFA	IQLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	1.15	+0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	1.69	+0.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.23	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	1.77	+0.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.40	6.68	+1.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QEFA vs. IQLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the IQLT Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QEFA and IQLT, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QEFA	IQLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45	1.15	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.45	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.54	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.47	-0.06

Correlation

The correlation between QEFA and IQLT is 0.86, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

QEFA vs. IQLT - Dividend Comparison

QEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, more than IQLT's 2.29% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QEFA SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF	3.04%	3.13%	3.17%	2.79%	3.02%	2.37%	1.82%	2.95%	3.22%	2.33%	2.01%	2.94%
IQLT iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF	2.29%	2.33%	2.87%	2.27%	3.14%	2.24%	1.61%	2.28%	2.72%	2.36%	2.91%	2.78%

Drawdowns

QEFA vs. IQLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QEFA drawdown since its inception was -31.71%, roughly equal to the maximum IQLT drawdown of -32.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QEFA and IQLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	QEFA	IQLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.71%	-32.21%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.58%	-10.38%	+0.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.09%	-30.24%	+2.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.71%	-32.21%	+0.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.51%	-7.02%	+0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.13%	-6.29%	+0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	2.74%	-0.22%

Volatility

QEFA vs. IQLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF (QEFA) is 6.47%, while iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) has a volatility of 7.46%. This indicates that QEFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IQLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QEFA	IQLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.47%	7.46%	-0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.43%	10.71%	-1.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.36%	16.93%	-1.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.71%	16.31%	-1.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.00%	16.92%	-0.92%