QGRO vs. EQLT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QGRO (American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF) and EQLT (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF) are both Quality Factor funds - QGRO tracks the American Century U.S. Quality Growth Index while EQLT tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QGRO returned 7.84% vs 47.25% for EQLT. Their 0.58 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QGRO charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for EQLT.

Performance

QGRO vs. EQLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QGRO achieves a 1.31% return, which is significantly lower than EQLT's 25.30% return.

QGRO

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: -0.28%
• 6M: 2.39%
• YTD: 1.31%
• 1Y: 7.84%
• 3Y*: 19.28%
• 5Y*: 9.69%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.87%

EQLT

• 1D: 1.99%
• 1M: 0.61%
• 6M: 15.96%
• YTD: 25.30%
• 1Y: 47.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 30.32%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	$66.04K	$56.95K	$121.40K
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF	$8.71M	$8.72M	$14.21M

QGRO vs. EQLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF	1.31%	15.18%	15.66%
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	25.30%	33.93%	-1.29%

Correlation

The correlation between QGRO and EQLT is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2024	0.58

The correlation between QGRO and EQLT shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (all time) to 0.71 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QGRO vs. EQLT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QGRO	EQLT
Technology	42.5%	34.8%
Communication Services	15.2%	5.2%
Industrials	12.3%	11.4%
Healthcare	11.6%	3.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	8.2%
Financial Services	3.9%	19.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	3.5%
Energy	1.2%	3.5%
Utilities	0.8%	1.8%
Real Estate	0.8%	0.9%
Basic Materials	0.2%	6.5%

Return for Risk

QGRO vs. EQLT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QGRO

QGRO Risk / Return Rank: 22
QGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
QGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
QGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 21
QGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
QGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 25

EQLT

EQLT Risk / Return Rank: 82
EQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
EQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
EQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 80
EQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
EQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

QGRO vs. EQLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT). 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.

	QGRO	EQLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.49	2.03	-1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.78	2.63	-1.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.36	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.58	3.96	-3.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.90	11.90	-10.00

QGRO vs. EQLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QGRO Sharpe Ratio is 0.49, which is lower than the EQLT Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QGRO and EQLT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

QGRO vs. EQLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QGRO drawdown since its inception was -32.56%, which is greater than EQLT's maximum drawdown of -17.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QGRO and EQLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	QGRO	EQLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.56%	-17.38%	-15.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.54%	-12.00%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.05%	-6.54%	+4.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.56%	-3.81%	-3.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.13%	3.98%	+0.15%

Volatility

QGRO vs. EQLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) is 4.19%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) has a volatility of 6.29%. This indicates that QGRO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EQLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QGRO	EQLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.19%	6.29%	-2.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.83%	21.12%	-8.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.20%	23.48%	-7.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.21%	21.27%	-0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.83%	21.27%	+1.56%

QGRO vs. EQLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

QGRO has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than EQLT's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QGRO vs. EQLT - Dividend Comparison

QGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than EQLT's 2.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	2.80%	3.10%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF	0.18%	0.25%	0.25%	0.41%	0.46%	0.31%	0.22%	0.38%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QGRO and EQLT in my portfolio?

QGRO and EQLT have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QGRO or EQLT?

EQLT has higher volatility (6.29%) compared to QGRO (4.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QGRO dropped -32.56% vs EQLT's -17.38%.

Which ETF is better, QGRO or EQLT?

On 1-year performance, EQLT leads with 47.25% vs 7.84% for QGRO. On fees, QGRO is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, QGRO has been the lower-risk option at 4.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QGRO or EQLT?

Over the 1-year period, EQLT has performed better with a 47.25% return vs 7.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QGRO or EQLT?

QGRO is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for EQLT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QGRO or EQLT?

EQLT has the higher dividend yield at 2.80%, compared with 0.18% for QGRO.

What is the main difference between QGRO and EQLT?

QGRO tracks American Century U.S. Quality Growth Index, while EQLT tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor Select Index. They also come from different issuers: American Century and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for QGRO and 0.35% for EQLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 0.49), 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.