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QQQ vs. IQLT
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QQQ vs. IQLT

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and IQLT (iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while IQLT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 22.17%/yr vs 9.67%/yr for IQLT. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for IQLT.

Performance

QQQ vs. IQLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 20.71% return, which is significantly higher than IQLT's 10.18% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed IQLT with an annualized return of 22.17%, while IQLT has yielded a comparatively lower 9.67% annualized return.

QQQ

1D
2.51%
1M
3.22%
YTD
20.71%
6M
20.33%
1Y
41.26%
3Y*
27.01%
5Y*
17.37%
10Y*
22.17%

IQLT

1D
0.43%
1M
1.44%
YTD
10.18%
6M
10.87%
1Y
20.80%
3Y*
13.90%
5Y*
7.97%
10Y*
9.67%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QQQ vs. IQLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		20.71%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%
IQLT
iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF		10.18%25.42%1.54%18.73%-15.22%12.94%12.48%28.18%-10.76%24.04%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and IQLT is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.66

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.63

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.69

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.67

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2015

0.64

The correlation between QQQ and IQLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQ vs. IQLT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QQQ
IQLT

Technology

58.7%
13.0%

Communication Services

14.3%
3.1%

Consumer Cyclical

11.4%
8.3%

Consumer Defensive

6.4%
6.4%

Healthcare

3.7%
8.7%

Industrials

2.6%
17.7%

Utilities

1.2%
3.5%

Basic Materials

1.0%
7.2%

Energy

0.5%
4.9%

Financial Services

0.2%
25.0%

Real Estate

0.1%
1.5%

Technology

QQQ
58.7%
IQLT
13.0%

Communication Services

QQQ
14.3%
IQLT
3.1%

Consumer Cyclical

QQQ
11.4%
IQLT
8.3%

Consumer Defensive

QQQ
6.4%
IQLT
6.4%

Healthcare

QQQ
3.7%
IQLT
8.7%

Industrials

QQQ
2.6%
IQLT
17.7%

Utilities

QQQ
1.2%
IQLT
3.5%

Basic Materials

QQQ
1.0%
IQLT
7.2%

Energy

QQQ
0.5%
IQLT
4.9%

Financial Services

QQQ
0.2%
IQLT
25.0%

Real Estate

QQQ
0.1%
IQLT
1.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Invesco QQQ ETF

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF

Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. SPMO
Often compared with IQLT:
IQLT vs. VIGIIQLT vs. SPYIQLT vs. IEFAIQLT vs. ACWXIQLT vs. QEFAIQLT vs. VOOIQLT vs. DIHRX

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. IQLT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7777
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
Martin Ratio Rank
IQLT
IQLT Risk / Return Rank: 4040
Overall Rank
IQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3939
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 3939
Sortino Ratio Rank
IQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 3636
Omega Ratio Rank
IQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 4040
Calmar Ratio Rank
IQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 4646
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

QQQ vs. IQLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT). 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.

QQQIQLTDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.32
1.33

+0.98

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.01
1.95

+1.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.41

1.23

+0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.42

1.92

+1.50

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.72

7.29

+5.43

QQQ vs. IQLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is higher than the IQLT Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and IQLT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

QQQ vs. IQLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than IQLT's maximum drawdown of -32.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and IQLT.

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Drawdown Indicators

QQQIQLTDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-82.97%

-32.21%

-50.76%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.96%

-10.38%

-1.58%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.77%

-13.18%

-9.59%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.12%

-30.24%

-4.88%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.12%

-32.21%

-2.91%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.74%

-0.18%

-0.56%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-32.73%

-6.20%

-26.53%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.21%

2.72%

+0.49%

Volatility

QQQ vs. IQLT - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a higher volatility of 8.58% compared to iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) at 5.02%. This indicates that QQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IQLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QQQIQLTDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.58%

5.02%

+3.56%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.34%

12.68%

+1.66%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.64%

14.90%

+2.74%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.63%

16.54%

+6.09%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.42%

16.97%

+5.45%

QQQ vs. IQLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than IQLT's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQ vs. IQLT - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than IQLT's 2.42% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IQLT
iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF		2.42%2.33%2.87%2.27%3.14%2.24%1.61%2.28%2.72%2.36%2.91%2.78%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.38%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

QQQ and IQLT have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (8.58%) compared to IQLT (5.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs IQLT's -32.21%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 22.17% vs 9.67% for IQLT. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IQLT has been the lower-risk option at 5.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 22.17% return vs 9.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for IQLT.

IQLT has the higher dividend yield at 2.42%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while IQLT is Foreign Large Cap Equities. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while IQLT tracks MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.30% for IQLT.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 1.33), 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.

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