QRFT vs. QVAL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QRFT (QRAFT AI Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF) and QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QRFT is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Exchange Traded Concepts, while QVAL is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, QRFT returned 10.62%/yr vs 12.93%/yr for QVAL. Their 0.62 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QRFT charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for QVAL.

Performance

QRFT vs. QVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in QRAFT AI Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF (QRFT) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QRFT achieves a 11.89% return, which is significantly lower than QVAL's 20.72% return.

QRFT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.66%
• 6M: 10.76%
• YTD: 11.89%
• 1Y: 22.68%
• 3Y*: 19.37%
• 5Y*: 10.62%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.79%

QVAL

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 3.77%
• 6M: 14.38%
• YTD: 20.72%
• 1Y: 39.46%
• 3Y*: 18.55%
• 5Y*: 12.93%
• 10Y*: 11.94%
• ALL TIME*: 11.53%

*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)
QRFT QRAFT AI Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF	$1.12M	$598.10K	$292.56K
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	$1.37M	$1.75M	$1.48M

QRFT vs. QVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QRFT QRAFT AI Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF	11.89%	17.95%	21.36%	24.16%	-22.69%	22.74%	40.05%	15.22%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	20.72%	10.98%	12.21%	28.40%	-11.80%	34.40%	-5.93%	11.84%

Correlation

The correlation between QRFT and QVAL is 0.43, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2019	0.62

The correlation between QRFT and QVAL shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (1 year) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QRFT vs. QVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QRFT	QVAL
Technology	40.5%	10.0%
Consumer Cyclical	11.3%	21.6%
Healthcare	10.0%	14.1%
Industrials	9.7%	12.3%
Financial Services	8.2%	-
Communication Services	7.9%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	5.9%
Energy	3.4%	20.3%
Basic Materials	1.7%	8.0%
Real Estate	1.6%	2.0%
Utilities	0.6%	2.0%

Return for Risk

QRFT vs. QVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QRFT

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 94
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

QRFT vs. QVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for QRAFT AI Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF (QRFT) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). 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.

	QRFT	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	2.60	-1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	3.92	-1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.44	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	6.18	-3.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.58	19.14	-9.57

QRFT vs. QVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QRFT Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is lower than the QVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QRFT and QVAL, 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

QRFT vs. QVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QRFT drawdown since its inception was -30.19%, smaller than the maximum QVAL drawdown of -51.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QRFT and QVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QRFT	QVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.19%	-51.49%	+21.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.12%	-6.04%	-3.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.99%	-21.41%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.20%	-27.17%	-1.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.49%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	-1.04%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.70%	-7.69%	+0.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	1.95%	+0.26%

Volatility

QRFT vs. QVAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for QRAFT AI Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF (QRFT) is 2.99%, while Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) has a volatility of 3.51%. This indicates that QRFT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QRFT	QVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	3.51%	-0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.98%	10.20%	+0.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.06%	14.34%	-0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.47%	21.56%	-4.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.04%	22.70%	-2.66%

QRFT vs. QVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QRFT has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QVAL's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

QRFT vs. QVAL - Dividend Comparison

QRFT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
QRFT QRAFT AI Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF	0.27%	0.27%	0.52%	0.77%	0.83%	0.05%	1.81%	4.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.42%	1.44%	1.72%	1.76%	2.00%	1.23%	1.86%	1.99%	1.64%	1.08%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QRFT and QVAL in my portfolio?

QRFT and QVAL have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QRFT or QVAL?

QVAL has higher volatility (3.51%) compared to QRFT (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QRFT dropped -30.19% vs QVAL's -51.49%.

Which ETF is better, QRFT or QVAL?

On 5-year performance, QVAL leads with 12.93% vs 10.62% for QRFT. On fees, QVAL is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, QRFT has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QRFT or QVAL?

Over the 5-year period, QVAL has performed better with a 12.93% return vs 10.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QRFT or QVAL?

QVAL is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for QRFT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QRFT or QVAL?

QVAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.42%, compared with 0.27% for QRFT.

What is the main difference between QRFT and QVAL?

QRFT is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QVAL is Mid Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for QRFT and 0.28% for QVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.51), 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.