QSML vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QSML (Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QSML is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree US SmallCap Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QSML returned 21.62% vs 21.68% for QUAL. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QSML charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

QSML vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund (QSML) 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, QSML achieves a 8.06% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's 8.80% return.

QSML

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: 8.06%
• 6M: 7.79%
• 1Y: 21.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

QSML vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QSML Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund	8.06%	5.49%	10.38%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	8.80%	12.65%	18.60%

Correlation

The correlation between QSML and QUAL is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2024	0.75

The correlation between QSML and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

QSML vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QSML	QUAL
Technology	18.4%	36.5%
Industrials	17.9%	8.2%
Consumer Cyclical	16.2%	9.3%
Financial Services	13.2%	11.5%
Healthcare	10.4%	9.0%
Energy	9.5%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	4.9%
Communication Services	3.3%	11.1%
Basic Materials	3.2%	1.7%
Real Estate	0.3%	1.8%
Utilities	0.2%	1.9%

Return for Risk

QSML vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QSML

QSML Risk / Return Rank: 37
QSML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
QSML Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
QSML Omega Ratio Rank: 32
QSML Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
QSML Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

QSML vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund (QSML) 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.

	QSML	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	1.84	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	2.62	-0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.32	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	2.41	-0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.71	11.00	-4.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QSML vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QSML Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is lower than the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QSML 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

	QSML	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	1.84	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.80	-0.31

Drawdowns

QSML vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QSML drawdown since its inception was -28.54%, smaller than the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QSML and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QSML	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.54%	-34.06%	+5.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.72%	-9.03%	-1.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.00%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.10%	-0.16%	-0.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.98%	-4.11%	-1.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.23%	1.98%	+1.25%

Volatility

QSML vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund (QSML) has a higher volatility of 4.35% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 2.51%. This indicates that QSML'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

	QSML	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.35%	2.51%	+1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.86%	9.03%	+2.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.46%	11.83%	+5.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.86%	17.33%	+3.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.86%	18.10%	+2.76%

QSML vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QSML has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

QSML vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

QSML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.58%, less than QUAL's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QSML Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund	0.58%	0.62%	0.32%	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 QSML and QUAL in my portfolio?

QSML and QUAL have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QSML or QUAL?

QSML has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to QUAL (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QSML dropped -28.54% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, QSML or QUAL?

On 1-year performance, QUAL leads with 21.68% vs 21.62% for QSML. 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, QSML or QUAL?

Over the 1-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 21.68% return vs 21.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QSML or QUAL?

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for QSML.

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

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.58% for QSML.

What is the main difference between QSML and QUAL?

QSML is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. QSML tracks WisdomTree US SmallCap Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for QSML and 0.15% for QUAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.25), 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.