QLTI vs. SPDW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QLTI (GMO International Quality ETF) and SPDW (SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. QLTI is actively managed, while SPDW is passively managed. Over the past year, QLTI returned 3.61% vs 32.15% for SPDW. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLTI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPDW.

Performance

QLTI vs. SPDW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GMO International Quality ETF (QLTI) and SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLTI achieves a -1.50% return, which is significantly lower than SPDW's 15.00% return.

QLTI

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 2.60%
• YTD: -1.50%
• 6M: 0.16%
• 1Y: 3.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPDW

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 5.56%
• YTD: 15.00%
• 6M: 18.06%
• 1Y: 32.15%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.38%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

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

QLTI vs. SPDW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QLTI GMO International Quality ETF	-1.50%	17.12%	-8.17%
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	15.00%	34.75%	-4.28%

Correlation

The correlation between QLTI and SPDW is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2024	0.83

The correlation between QLTI and SPDW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QLTI vs. SPDW — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLTI

QLTI Risk / Return Rank: 12
QLTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
QLTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
QLTI Omega Ratio Rank: 12
QLTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
QLTI Martin Ratio Rank: 13

SPDW

SPDW Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SPDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SPDW Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPDW Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

QLTI vs. SPDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GMO International Quality ETF (QLTI) and SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW). 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.

	QLTI	SPDW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.24	2.07	-1.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.45	2.87	-2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.37	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.26	2.80	-2.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.76	10.93	-10.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QLTI vs. SPDW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLTI Sharpe Ratio is 0.24, which is lower than the SPDW Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLTI and SPDW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QLTI	SPDW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24	2.07	-1.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.24	-0.02

Drawdowns

QLTI vs. SPDW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLTI drawdown since its inception was -14.82%, smaller than the maximum SPDW drawdown of -60.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLTI and SPDW.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLTI	SPDW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.82%	-60.02%	+45.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.72%	-11.55%	-2.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.53%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.21%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.98%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.89%	-0.87%	-6.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.77%	-12.91%	+9.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.77%	2.95%	+1.82%

Volatility

QLTI vs. SPDW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for GMO International Quality ETF (QLTI) is 4.91%, while SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) has a volatility of 5.63%. This indicates that QLTI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLTI	SPDW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.91%	5.63%	-0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.38%	13.17%	-0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.30%	15.60%	-0.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.69%	16.49%	+0.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.69%	17.26%	-0.57%

QLTI vs. SPDW - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLTI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPDW's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLTI vs. SPDW - Dividend Comparison

QLTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, less than SPDW's 2.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLTI GMO International Quality ETF	0.53%	0.52%	0.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	2.87%	3.30%	3.19%	2.75%	3.12%	3.04%	1.87%	3.13%	3.08%	1.86%	3.11%	2.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLTI and SPDW in my portfolio?

QLTI and SPDW have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QLTI or SPDW?

SPDW has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to QLTI (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLTI dropped -14.82% vs SPDW's -60.02%.

Which ETF is better, QLTI or SPDW?

On 1-year performance, SPDW leads with 32.15% vs 3.61% for QLTI. On fees, SPDW is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, QLTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLTI or SPDW?

Over the 1-year period, SPDW has performed better with a 32.15% return vs 3.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLTI or SPDW?

SPDW is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QLTI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QLTI or SPDW?

SPDW has the higher dividend yield at 2.87%, compared with 0.53% for QLTI.

What is the main difference between QLTI and SPDW?

They also come from different issuers: GMO and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QLTI and 0.04% for SPDW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPDW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 0.24), 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.