QUAL vs. AFOS
QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for AFOS.
Performance
QUAL vs. AFOS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QUAL achieves a 7.67% return, which is significantly lower than AFOS's 31.60% return.
QUAL
- 1D
- -1.31%
- 1M
- -0.46%
- YTD
- 7.67%
- 6M
- 6.84%
- 1Y
- 21.07%
- 3Y*
- 18.53%
- 5Y*
- 11.52%
- 10Y*
- 14.47%
AFOS
- 1D
- -3.79%
- 1M
- 4.43%
- YTD
- 31.60%
- 6M
- 30.16%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QUAL vs. AFOS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | 7.67% | 11.34% |
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 31.60% | 37.10% |
Correlation
The correlation between QUAL and AFOS is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025 | 0.77 |
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Return for Risk
QUAL vs. AFOS — Risk / Return Rank
QUAL
AFOS
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
QUAL vs. AFOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS). 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.
| QUAL | AFOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.34 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.65 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
QUAL vs. AFOS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, which is greater than AFOS's maximum drawdown of -11.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and AFOS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QUAL | AFOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.06% | -11.52% | -22.54% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.03% | — | — |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.82% | -3.79% | +0.97% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.09% | -1.42% | -2.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.98% | — | — |
Volatility
QUAL vs. AFOS - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| QUAL | AFOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.09% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.63% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.14% | 21.52% | -9.38% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.39% | 21.52% | -4.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.10% | 21.52% | -3.42% |
QUAL vs. AFOS - Expense Ratio Comparison
QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than AFOS's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
QUAL vs. AFOS - Dividend Comparison
QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, more than AFOS's 0.23% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF | 0.23% | 0.30% | 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 | 0.89% | 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
QUAL and AFOS have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for AFOS.
QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.23% for AFOS.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and ARS Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.45% for AFOS.
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