QUAL vs. IGF

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and IGF (iShares Global Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while IGF is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Infrastructure Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QUAL returned 14.37%/yr vs 8.40%/yr for IGF. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for IGF.

Performance

QUAL vs. IGF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUAL achieves a 9.12% return, which is significantly lower than IGF's 9.67% return. Over the past 10 years, QUAL has outperformed IGF with an annualized return of 14.37%, while IGF has yielded a comparatively lower 8.40% annualized return.

QUAL

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 9.12%
• 6M: 9.00%
• 1Y: 24.08%
• 3Y*: 18.63%
• 5Y*: 12.35%
• 10Y*: 14.37%

IGF

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 6M: 10.73%
• 1Y: 18.46%
• 3Y*: 15.62%
• 5Y*: 10.85%
• 10Y*: 8.40%

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

QUAL vs. IGF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	9.12%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	17.04%	33.89%	-5.70%	22.26%
IGF iShares Global Infrastructure ETF	9.67%	21.31%	14.81%	6.14%	-1.26%	11.57%	-6.50%	25.82%	-9.95%	19.31%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and IGF is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2013	0.65

The correlation between QUAL and IGF shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (3 years) to 0.65 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QUAL vs. IGF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QUAL	IGF
Technology	38.8%	-
Communication Services	11.8%	-
Financial Services	10.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	-
Healthcare	8.7%	-
Industrials	7.2%	40.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	-
Energy	3.2%	19.6%
Utilities	2.1%	39.7%
Basic Materials	1.9%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. IGF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 61
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 59
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

IGF

IGF Risk / Return Rank: 55
IGF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
IGF Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
IGF Omega Ratio Rank: 50
IGF Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
IGF Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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. IGF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF). 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	IGF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.72	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	2.44	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.31	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	3.10	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.89	8.83	+3.06

QUAL vs. IGF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the IGF Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and IGF, 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

QUAL vs. IGF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, smaller than the maximum IGF drawdown of -58.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and IGF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUAL	IGF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.06%	-58.33%	+24.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-5.87%	-3.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.00%	-14.28%	-3.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-20.83%	-7.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.06%	-42.11%	+8.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-2.99%	+1.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.09%	-11.85%	+7.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	2.06%	-0.09%

Volatility

QUAL vs. IGF - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) has a higher volatility of 4.02% compared to iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) at 3.45%. This indicates that QUAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IGF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUAL	IGF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.02%	3.45%	+0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.61%	8.73%	+0.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.10%	10.57%	+1.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.38%	13.97%	+3.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.12%	16.83%	+1.29%

QUAL vs. IGF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than IGF's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

QUAL vs. IGF - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than IGF's 2.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGF iShares Global Infrastructure ETF	2.91%	3.23%	3.21%	3.36%	2.67%	2.42%	2.33%	3.27%	3.52%	2.95%	2.98%	3.25%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	0.87%	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 IGF in my portfolio?

QUAL and IGF have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QUAL or IGF?

QUAL has higher volatility (4.02%) compared to IGF (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUAL dropped -34.06% vs IGF's -58.33%.

Which ETF is better, QUAL or IGF?

On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.37% vs 8.40% for IGF. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, IGF has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QUAL or IGF?

Over the 10-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 14.37% return vs 8.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUAL or IGF?

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for IGF.

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

IGF has the higher dividend yield at 2.91%, compared with 0.87% for QUAL.

What is the main difference between QUAL and IGF?

QUAL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IGF is Industrials Equities. QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while IGF tracks S&P Global Infrastructure Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.39% for IGF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.72), 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.