QFRD vs. QUAL
QFRD (Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both Quality Factor funds - QFRD tracks the S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders Index while QUAL tracks the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QFRD charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.
Performance
QFRD vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
QFRD
- 1D
- 0.40%
- 1M
- 0.30%
- 6M
- 17.23%
- YTD
- —
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
QUAL
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- 0.41%
- 6M
- 8.77%
- YTD
- 10.86%
- 1Y
- 21.43%
- 3Y*
- 17.38%
- 5Y*
- 11.11%
- 10Y*
- 14.15%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.66%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $22.97K | $34.82K | $12.88K | |
| $216.39M | $244.32M | $382.94M |
QFRD vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | |
|---|---|
QFRD Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF | 13.35% |
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | 7.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between QFRD and QUAL is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2026 | 0.77 |
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Return for Risk
QFRD vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank
QFRD
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
QUAL
QFRD vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF (QFRD) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.
| QFRD | QUAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.29 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 2.25 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 10.08 | — |
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Drawdowns
QFRD vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QFRD drawdown since its inception was -9.69%, smaller than the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QFRD and QUAL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QFRD | QUAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.69% | -34.06% | +24.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -9.03% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -18.00% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -28.23% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -34.06% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.65% | -0.61% | -3.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.45% | -4.07% | +0.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 2.01% | — |
Volatility
QFRD vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| QFRD | QUAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 2.88% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 9.72% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.17% | 12.33% | +6.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.17% | 17.38% | +1.79% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.17% | 18.09% | +1.08% |
QFRD vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison
QFRD has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
QFRD vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison
QFRD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than QUAL's 0.86% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QFRD Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF | 0.11% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | 0.86% | 0.94% | 1.02% | 1.23% | 1.59% | 1.20% | 1.39% | 1.60% | 2.00% | 1.76% | 1.96% | 1.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QFRD and QUAL have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for QFRD.
QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.86%, compared with 0.11% for QFRD.
QFRD tracks S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders Index, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for QFRD and 0.15% for QUAL.
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