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QUAL vs. BBUS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QUAL vs. BBUS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and BBUS (JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - QUAL tracks the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index while BBUS tracks the Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QUAL returned 11.52%/yr vs 12.52%/yr for BBUS. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for BBUS.

Performance

QUAL vs. BBUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BBUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with QUAL having a 7.67% return and BBUS slightly lower at 7.57%.

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%

BBUS

1D
-1.68%
1M
-1.53%
YTD
7.57%
6M
6.62%
1Y
22.78%
3Y*
20.70%
5Y*
12.52%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QUAL vs. BBUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		7.67%12.65%22.29%30.88%-20.50%26.94%17.04%17.45%
BBUS
JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF		7.57%17.77%24.89%27.20%-19.46%27.13%20.69%16.26%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and BBUS is 0.94, 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

0.94

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

0.95

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

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 13, 2019

0.97

The correlation between QUAL and BBUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

QUAL vs. BBUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QUAL
BBUS

Technology

38.8%
38.1%

Communication Services

11.8%
10.0%

Financial Services

10.8%
11.2%

Consumer Cyclical

9.3%
9.1%

Healthcare

8.7%
8.0%

Industrials

7.2%
7.4%

Consumer Defensive

4.4%
4.4%

Energy

3.2%
3.0%

Utilities

2.1%
2.6%

Basic Materials

1.9%
1.2%

Real Estate

1.8%
1.7%

Technology

QUAL
38.8%
BBUS
38.1%

Communication Services

QUAL
11.8%
BBUS
10.0%

Financial Services

QUAL
10.8%
BBUS
11.2%

Consumer Cyclical

QUAL
9.3%
BBUS
9.1%

Healthcare

QUAL
8.7%
BBUS
8.0%

Industrials

QUAL
7.2%
BBUS
7.4%

Consumer Defensive

QUAL
4.4%
BBUS
4.4%

Energy

QUAL
3.2%
BBUS
3.0%

Utilities

QUAL
2.1%
BBUS
2.6%

Basic Materials

QUAL
1.9%
BBUS
1.2%

Real Estate

QUAL
1.8%
BBUS
1.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF

Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD
Often compared with BBUS:
BBUS vs. VOOBBUS vs. VTIBBUS vs. BBREBBUS vs. SPTMBBUS vs. QQQBBUS vs. BBCABBUS vs. SCHK

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. BBUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5353
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 5353
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 4949
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
BBUS
BBUS Risk / Return Rank: 5656
Overall Rank
BBUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BBUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 5454
Sortino Ratio Rank
BBUS Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
BBUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
BBUS Martin Ratio Rank: 6363
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.

QUAL vs. BBUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BBUS). 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.

QUALBBUSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.75
1.82

-0.07

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.48
2.48

0.00

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.33

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.34

2.49

-0.14

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.65

10.97

-0.33

QUAL vs. BBUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the BBUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and BBUS, 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

QUAL vs. BBUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, roughly equal to the maximum BBUS drawdown of -35.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and BBUS.

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Drawdown Indicators

QUALBBUSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.06%

-35.35%

+1.29%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.03%

-9.21%

+0.18%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.00%

-19.01%

+1.01%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.23%

-25.46%

-2.77%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.06%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.82%

-3.47%

+0.65%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.09%

-5.43%

+1.34%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.98%

2.08%

-0.10%

Volatility

QUAL vs. BBUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is 4.09%, while JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BBUS) has a volatility of 5.00%. This indicates that QUAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BBUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QUALBBUSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.09%

5.00%

-0.91%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.63%

9.95%

-0.32%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.14%

12.59%

-0.45%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.39%

17.14%

+0.25%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.10%

19.59%

-1.49%

QUAL vs. BBUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than BBUS's 0.02% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QUAL vs. BBUS - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than BBUS's 1.01% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BBUS
JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF		0.77%1.07%1.21%1.38%1.57%1.11%1.43%1.37%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

With a correlation of 0.94, QUAL and BBUS move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

BBUS has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to QUAL (4.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUAL dropped -34.06% vs BBUS's -35.35%.

On 5-year performance, BBUS leads with 12.52% vs 11.52% for QUAL. On fees, BBUS is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 4.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, BBUS has performed better with a 12.52% return vs 11.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

BBUS is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QUAL.

BBUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.89% for QUAL.

QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while BBUS tracks Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.02% for BBUS.

BBUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.75), 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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