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QUAL vs. SPEM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QUAL vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QUAL returned 14.46%/yr vs 9.63%/yr for SPEM. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

QUAL vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUAL achieves a 9.44% return, which is significantly lower than SPEM's 11.32% return. Over the past 10 years, QUAL has outperformed SPEM with an annualized return of 14.46%, while SPEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.63% annualized return.

QUAL

1D
0.47%
1M
2.14%
YTD
9.44%
6M
9.29%
1Y
22.87%
3Y*
19.30%
5Y*
11.97%
10Y*
14.46%

SPEM

1D
0.87%
1M
-0.13%
YTD
11.32%
6M
13.11%
1Y
27.73%
3Y*
17.37%
5Y*
5.60%
10Y*
9.63%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QUAL vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		9.44%12.65%22.29%30.88%-20.50%26.94%17.04%33.89%-5.70%22.26%
SPEM
SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF		11.32%25.63%11.40%10.51%-17.90%1.51%14.55%19.69%-13.26%34.82%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and SPEM is 0.72, 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

0.72

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

0.62

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

0.62

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.65

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2013

0.65

The correlation between QUAL and SPEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (5 years) to 0.72 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QUAL vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QUAL
SPEM

Technology

36.5%
28.2%

Financial Services

11.5%
20.2%

Communication Services

11.1%
7.2%

Consumer Cyclical

9.3%
10.4%

Healthcare

9.0%
4.0%

Industrials

8.2%
8.5%

Consumer Defensive

4.9%
3.9%

Energy

4.0%
4.7%

Utilities

1.9%
2.8%

Real Estate

1.8%
1.9%

Basic Materials

1.7%
8.2%

Technology

QUAL
36.5%
SPEM
28.2%

Financial Services

QUAL
11.5%
SPEM
20.2%

Communication Services

QUAL
11.1%
SPEM
7.2%

Consumer Cyclical

QUAL
9.3%
SPEM
10.4%

Healthcare

QUAL
9.0%
SPEM
4.0%

Industrials

QUAL
8.2%
SPEM
8.5%

Consumer Defensive

QUAL
4.9%
SPEM
3.9%

Energy

QUAL
4.0%
SPEM
4.7%

Utilities

QUAL
1.9%
SPEM
2.8%

Real Estate

QUAL
1.8%
SPEM
1.9%

Basic Materials

QUAL
1.7%
SPEM
8.2%

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

SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD
Often compared with SPEM:
SPEM vs. VWOSPEM vs. EEMSPEM vs. EMXCSPEM vs. ESGESPEM vs. EMGFSPEM vs. EMCRSPEM vs. BKEM

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
SPEM
SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5252
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 4949
Sortino Ratio Rank
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
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. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). 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.

QUALSPEMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.74
1.55

+0.18

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.46
2.16

+0.30

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.29

+0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.32

2.28

+0.04

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.60

8.16

+2.44

QUAL vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and SPEM, 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. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and SPEM.

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Drawdown Indicators

QUALSPEMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.06%

-64.41%

+30.35%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.03%

-11.36%

+2.33%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.00%

-17.62%

-0.38%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.23%

-31.75%

+3.52%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.06%

-36.06%

+2.00%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.19%

-2.40%

+2.21%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.10%

-14.73%

+10.63%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.99%

3.17%

-1.18%

Volatility

QUAL vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is 3.63%, while SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a volatility of 6.87%. This indicates that QUAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QUALSPEMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.63%

6.87%

-3.24%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.43%

14.21%

-4.78%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.10%

16.67%

-4.57%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.36%

17.26%

+0.10%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.11%

18.83%

-0.72%

QUAL vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.11% 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. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than SPEM's 2.49% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
SPEM
SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF		2.49%2.77%2.78%2.80%3.38%3.14%1.92%2.94%2.34%1.12%1.51%2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

QUAL and SPEM have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SPEM has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to QUAL (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUAL dropped -34.06% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.46% vs 9.63% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 14.46% return vs 9.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QUAL.

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.49%, compared with 0.87% for QUAL.

QUAL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPEM is Emerging Markets Equities. QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.11% for SPEM.

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.55), 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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