QUAL vs. SEIQ

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and SEIQ (SEI Enhanced US Large Cap Quality Factor ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. QUAL is passively managed, while SEIQ is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, QUAL returned 19.28%/yr vs 14.99%/yr for SEIQ. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

QUAL vs. SEIQ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUAL achieves a 13.64% return, which is significantly higher than SEIQ's 8.95% return.

QUAL

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.90%
• 6M: 11.95%
• YTD: 13.64%
• 1Y: 23.43%
• 3Y*: 19.28%
• 5Y*: 11.42%
• 10Y*: 14.32%
• ALL TIME*: 13.87%

SEIQ

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 4.77%
• 6M: 8.79%
• YTD: 8.95%
• 1Y: 16.00%
• 3Y*: 14.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.55%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	$231.95M	$239.34M	$386.30M
SEIQ SEI Enhanced US Large Cap Quality Factor ETF	$1.93M	$2.99M	$2.13M

QUAL vs. SEIQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	13.64%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-5.45%
SEIQ SEI Enhanced US Large Cap Quality Factor ETF	8.95%	12.51%	16.15%	22.66%	1.51%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and SEIQ is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2022	0.91

The correlation between QUAL and SEIQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.91 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QUAL vs. SEIQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QUAL	SEIQ
Technology	40.2%	34.1%
Financial Services	10.9%	10.3%
Communication Services	10.3%	5.3%
Healthcare	9.2%	19.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	10.0%
Industrials	7.4%	6.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	13.1%
Energy	2.9%	-
Utilities	2.1%	-
Basic Materials	1.9%	0.9%
Real Estate	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. SEIQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 73
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 72
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 79

SEIQ

SEIQ Risk / Return Rank: 47
SEIQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
SEIQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SEIQ Omega Ratio Rank: 46
SEIQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
SEIQ Martin Ratio Rank: 49

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QUAL vs. SEIQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and SEI Enhanced US Large Cap Quality Factor ETF (SEIQ). 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	SEIQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	1.41	+0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	2.02	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.25	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	1.66	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.67	6.30	+5.37

QUAL vs. SEIQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is higher than the SEIQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and SEIQ, 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. SEIQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, which is greater than SEIQ's maximum drawdown of -14.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and SEIQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUAL	SEIQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.06%	-14.87%	-19.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-9.66%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.00%	-14.27%	-3.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.06%	-2.68%	-1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	2.55%	-0.54%

Volatility

QUAL vs. SEIQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is 3.30%, while SEI Enhanced US Large Cap Quality Factor ETF (SEIQ) has a volatility of 4.18%. This indicates that QUAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SEIQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUAL	SEIQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.30%	4.18%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.69%	9.25%	+0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.27%	11.50%	+0.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.40%	14.58%	+2.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.10%	14.58%	+3.52%

QUAL vs. SEIQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QUAL and SEIQ have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QUAL vs. SEIQ - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than SEIQ's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	0.84%	0.94%	1.02%	1.23%	1.59%	1.20%	1.39%	1.60%	2.00%	1.76%	1.96%	1.63%
SEIQ SEI Enhanced US Large Cap Quality Factor ETF	0.88%	0.94%	0.97%	1.08%	0.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QUAL and SEIQ in my portfolio?

QUAL and SEIQ have a correlation of 0.79, 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 SEIQ?

SEIQ has higher volatility (4.18%) compared to QUAL (3.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUAL dropped -34.06% vs SEIQ's -14.87%.

Which ETF is better, QUAL or SEIQ?

On 3-year performance, QUAL leads with 19.28% vs 14.99% for SEIQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QUAL or SEIQ?

Over the 3-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 19.28% return vs 14.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUAL or SEIQ?

QUAL and SEIQ have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

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

SEIQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.84% for QUAL.

What is the main difference between QUAL and SEIQ?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and SEI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.41), 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.