QUAL vs. FQAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and FQAL (Fidelity Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while FQAL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Fidelity U.S. Quality Factor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QUAL returned 11.96%/yr vs 12.41%/yr for FQAL. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for FQAL.

Performance

QUAL vs. FQAL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUAL achieves a 8.80% return, which is significantly higher than FQAL's 7.87% return.

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%

FQAL

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 4.38%
• YTD: 7.87%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 21.12%
• 3Y*: 20.04%
• 5Y*: 12.41%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QUAL vs. FQAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	8.80%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	17.04%	33.89%	-5.70%	22.26%
FQAL Fidelity Quality Factor ETF	7.87%	16.93%	21.92%	24.20%	-19.70%	32.13%	16.17%	28.12%	-4.39%	23.03%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and FQAL 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 Sep 16, 2016	0.96

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

QUAL vs. FQAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QUAL	FQAL
Technology	36.5%	34.3%
Financial Services	11.5%	12.3%
Communication Services	11.1%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	10.1%
Healthcare	9.0%	8.9%
Industrials	8.2%	9.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.4%
Energy	4.0%	3.9%
Utilities	1.9%	2.2%
Real Estate	1.8%	2.2%
Basic Materials	1.7%	2.2%

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. FQAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

FQAL

FQAL Risk / Return Rank: 55
FQAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
FQAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
FQAL Omega Ratio Rank: 54
FQAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
FQAL Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. FQAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and Fidelity Quality Factor ETF (FQAL). 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.

	QUAL	FQAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	1.89	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.70	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	2.52	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.00	11.41	-0.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QUAL vs. FQAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the FQAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and FQAL, 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

	QUAL	FQAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	1.89	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.77	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.82	-0.02

Drawdowns

QUAL vs. FQAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, roughly equal to the maximum FQAL drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and FQAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUAL	FQAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.06%	-33.71%	-0.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-8.43%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.00%	-16.87%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-25.50%	-2.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.51%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-4.59%	+0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	1.86%	+0.12%

Volatility

QUAL vs. FQAL - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) has a higher volatility of 2.51% compared to Fidelity Quality Factor ETF (FQAL) at 2.33%. This indicates that QUAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FQAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUAL	FQAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.51%	2.33%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	8.57%	+0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.83%	11.21%	+0.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.33%	16.18%	+1.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.10%	17.58%	+0.52%

QUAL vs. FQAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than FQAL's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

QUAL vs. FQAL - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, less than FQAL's 1.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FQAL Fidelity Quality Factor ETF	1.12%	1.12%	1.20%	1.35%	1.52%	1.17%	1.46%	1.55%	1.73%	1.53%	0.43%	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 QUAL and FQAL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, QUAL and FQAL 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.

Which is riskier, QUAL or FQAL?

QUAL has higher volatility (2.51%) compared to FQAL (2.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUAL dropped -34.06% vs FQAL's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, QUAL or FQAL?

On 5-year performance, FQAL leads with 12.41% vs 11.96% for QUAL. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, FQAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QUAL or FQAL?

Over the 5-year period, FQAL has performed better with a 12.41% return vs 11.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUAL or FQAL?

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for FQAL.

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

FQAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.88% for QUAL.

What is the main difference between QUAL and FQAL?

QUAL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while FQAL is Large Cap Growth Equities. QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while FQAL tracks Fidelity U.S. Quality Factor Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.29% for FQAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FQAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.84), 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.