QINT vs. FICS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

QINT (American Century Quality Diversified International ETF) and FICS (First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QINT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Alpha Vee American Century Diversified International Equity Index, while FICS is a Global Equities fund tracking the The International Developed Capital Strength Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QINT returned 9.53%/yr vs 5.56%/yr for FICS. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QINT charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for FICS.

Performance

QINT vs. FICS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) and First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QINT achieves a 10.63% return, which is significantly higher than FICS's 3.77% return.

QINT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.73%
• YTD: 10.63%
• 6M: 10.70%
• 1Y: 28.44%
• 3Y*: 21.12%
• 5Y*: 9.53%
• 10Y*: —

FICS

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 3.77%
• 6M: 3.89%
• 1Y: 9.36%
• 3Y*: 10.94%
• 5Y*: 5.56%
• 10Y*: —

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

QINT vs. FICS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QINT American Century Quality Diversified International ETF	10.63%	38.12%	6.53%	20.36%	-19.75%	9.29%	2.03%
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	3.77%	20.44%	2.59%	18.07%	-19.47%	19.78%	2.47%

Correlation

The correlation between QINT and FICS is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 16, 2020	0.83

The correlation between QINT and FICS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

QINT vs. FICS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QINT	FICS
Financial Services	19.7%	28.3%
Industrials	18.9%	27.9%
Consumer Cyclical	13.6%	10.2%
Technology	10.0%	1.9%
Healthcare	9.9%	9.9%
Basic Materials	9.7%	4.2%
Energy	5.8%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	13.8%
Communication Services	4.5%	3.8%
Utilities	1.5%	-
Real Estate	0.9%	-

Return for Risk

QINT vs. FICS — Risk / Return Rank

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

QINT

QINT Risk / Return Rank: 56
QINT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
QINT Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
QINT Omega Ratio Rank: 57
QINT Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
QINT Martin Ratio Rank: 59

FICS

FICS Risk / Return Rank: 20
FICS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
FICS Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
FICS Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FICS Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
FICS Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

QINT vs. FICS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) and First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS). 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.

	QINT	FICS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	0.71	+1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	1.10	+1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.13	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	0.91	+1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.09	2.59	+7.50

QINT vs. FICS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QINT Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the FICS Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QINT and FICS, 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

QINT vs. FICS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QINT drawdown since its inception was -33.86%, which is greater than FICS's maximum drawdown of -29.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QINT and FICS.

Drawdown Indicators

	QINT	FICS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.86%	-29.16%	-4.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.41%	-10.32%	-1.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.56%	-11.66%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.86%	-29.16%	-4.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	-2.01%	+1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.50%	-7.16%	-0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	3.62%	-0.79%

Volatility

QINT vs. FICS - Volatility Comparison

American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) has a higher volatility of 4.90% compared to First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) at 3.38%. This indicates that QINT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FICS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QINT	FICS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.90%	3.38%	+1.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.95%	10.94%	+2.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.32%	13.30%	+2.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.31%	17.23%	-0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	16.90%	+1.17%

QINT vs. FICS - Expense Ratio Comparison

QINT has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than FICS's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

QINT vs. FICS - Dividend Comparison

QINT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.74%, more than FICS's 1.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	1.90%	1.85%	2.01%	1.02%	1.89%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QINT American Century Quality Diversified International ETF	3.74%	2.66%	3.49%	3.12%	3.56%	2.30%	1.61%	1.83%	0.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QINT and FICS in my portfolio?

QINT and FICS have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QINT or FICS?

QINT has higher volatility (4.90%) compared to FICS (3.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QINT dropped -33.86% vs FICS's -29.16%.

Which ETF is better, QINT or FICS?

On 5-year performance, QINT leads with 9.53% vs 5.56% for FICS. On fees, QINT is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, FICS has been the lower-risk option at 3.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QINT or FICS?

Over the 5-year period, QINT has performed better with a 9.53% return vs 5.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QINT or FICS?

QINT is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FICS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QINT or FICS?

QINT has the higher dividend yield at 3.74%, compared with 1.90% for FICS.

What is the main difference between QINT and FICS?

QINT is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while FICS is Global Equities. QINT tracks Alpha Vee American Century Diversified International Equity Index, while FICS tracks The International Developed Capital Strength Index. They also come from different issuers: American Century and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for QINT and 0.70% for FICS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QINT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.71), 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.