QUAL vs. META

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while META (Meta Platforms, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, QUAL returned 14.19%/yr vs 17.60%/yr for META. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

QUAL vs. META - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUAL achieves a 7.89% return, which is significantly higher than META's -11.24% return. Over the past 10 years, QUAL has underperformed META with an annualized return of 14.19%, while META has yielded a comparatively higher 17.60% annualized return.

QUAL

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 7.89%
• 6M: 8.26%
• 1Y: 19.70%
• 3Y*: 19.43%
• 5Y*: 11.82%
• 10Y*: 14.19%

META

• 1D: -1.28%
• 1M: -3.98%
• YTD: -11.24%
• 6M: -12.06%
• 1Y: -15.84%
• 3Y*: 30.58%
• 5Y*: 12.31%
• 10Y*: 17.60%

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

QUAL vs. META - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	7.89%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	17.04%	33.89%	-5.70%	22.26%
META Meta Platforms, Inc.	-11.24%	13.09%	66.05%	194.13%	-64.22%	23.13%	33.09%	56.57%	-25.71%	53.38%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and META is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2013	0.59

The correlation between QUAL and META shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (1 year) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. META — Risk / Return Rank

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

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 54
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 61

META

META Risk / Return Rank: 23
META Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
META Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
META Omega Ratio Rank: 22
META Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
META Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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. META - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and Meta Platforms, Inc. (META). 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	META	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	-0.45	+2.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	-0.44	+2.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	0.94	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	-0.48	+2.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.96	-1.01	+10.97
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. META - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is higher than the META Sharpe Ratio of -0.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and META, 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	META	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	-0.45	+2.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.28	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.46	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.54	+0.25

Drawdowns

QUAL vs. META - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, smaller than the maximum META drawdown of -76.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and META.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUAL	META	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.06%	-76.74%	+42.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-33.30%	+24.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.00%	-34.15%	+16.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-76.74%	+48.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.06%	-76.74%	+42.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.61%	-25.73%	+24.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.10%	-15.26%	+11.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	15.69%	-13.71%

Volatility

QUAL vs. META - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is 3.12%, while Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) has a volatility of 10.48%. This indicates that QUAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than META based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUAL	META	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	10.48%	-7.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.28%	26.95%	-17.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.01%	35.56%	-23.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.35%	44.05%	-26.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.11%	38.69%	-20.58%

Dividends

QUAL vs. META - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, more than META's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
META Meta Platforms, Inc.	0.36%	0.32%	0.34%	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 QUAL and META in my portfolio?

QUAL and META have a correlation of 0.54, 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 META?

META has higher volatility (10.48%) compared to QUAL (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUAL dropped -34.06% vs META's -76.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs -0.45), 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.