QPX vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QPX (AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QPX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. QPX is actively managed, while QUAL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QPX returned 13.04%/yr vs 11.96%/yr for QUAL. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QPX charges 1.46%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

QPX vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF (QPX) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QPX achieves a 10.87% return, which is significantly higher than QUAL's 8.80% return.

QPX

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 7.22%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 6M: 11.56%
• 1Y: 32.39%
• 3Y*: 21.61%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: —

QUAL

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 8.80%
• 6M: 8.86%
• 1Y: 21.68%
• 3Y*: 19.66%
• 5Y*: 11.96%
• 10Y*: 14.27%

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

QPX vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QPX AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF	10.87%	24.12%	17.28%	44.63%	-30.90%	22.29%	0.38%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	8.80%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between QPX and QUAL is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2020	0.91

The correlation between QPX and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

QPX vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QPX	QUAL
Technology	49.8%	36.5%
Consumer Cyclical	25.6%	9.3%
Communication Services	14.9%	11.1%
Real Estate	6.4%	1.8%
Industrials	1.0%	8.2%
Financial Services	0.9%	11.5%
Healthcare	0.6%	9.0%
Energy	0.3%	4.0%
Basic Materials	0.3%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	4.9%
Utilities	0.1%	1.9%

Return for Risk

QPX vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QPX

QPX Risk / Return Rank: 65
QPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
QPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
QPX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
QPX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 53
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
QUAL 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.

QPX vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF (QPX) 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.

	QPX	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.84	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	2.62	+0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.32	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	2.41	+0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.19	11.00	+0.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QPX vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QPX and QUAL, 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

	QPX	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.84	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.69	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.80	-0.13

Drawdowns

QPX vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QPX drawdown since its inception was -34.74%, roughly equal to the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QPX and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QPX	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.74%	-34.06%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.56%	-9.03%	-2.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.89%	-18.00%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.74%	-28.23%	-6.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.16%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.07%	-4.11%	-3.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	1.98%	+0.92%

Volatility

QPX vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF (QPX) has a higher volatility of 4.16% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 2.51%. This indicates that QPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QPX	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	2.51%	+1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.01%	9.03%	+1.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.97%	11.83%	+2.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.93%	17.33%	+2.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.99%	18.10%	+1.89%

QPX vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QPX has a 1.46% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

QPX vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

QPX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QPX AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF	0.00%	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	0.88%	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

Can I hold both QPX and QUAL in my portfolio?

QPX and QUAL have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QPX or QUAL?

QPX has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to QUAL (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QPX dropped -34.74% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, QPX or QUAL?

On 5-year performance, QPX leads with 13.04% vs 11.96% for QUAL. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QPX or QUAL?

Over the 5-year period, QPX has performed better with a 13.04% return vs 11.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QPX or QUAL?

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 1.46% for QPX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QPX or QUAL?

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.00% for QPX.

What is the main difference between QPX and QUAL?

QPX is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.46% for QPX and 0.15% for QUAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.84), 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.