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QUAL vs. SPTM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QUAL vs. SPTM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and SPTM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - QUAL tracks the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index while SPTM tracks the S&P Composite 1500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QUAL returned 14.27%/yr vs 15.21%/yr for SPTM. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPTM.

Performance

QUAL vs. SPTM - 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 S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM). 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 8.80% return, which is significantly lower than SPTM's 11.10% return. Over the past 10 years, QUAL has underperformed SPTM with an annualized return of 14.27%, while SPTM has yielded a comparatively higher 15.21% annualized 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%

SPTM

1D
-0.67%
1M
4.87%
YTD
11.10%
6M
11.13%
1Y
27.84%
3Y*
21.90%
5Y*
13.38%
10Y*
15.21%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QUAL vs. SPTM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
SPTM
SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF		11.10%16.93%23.87%25.55%-17.75%28.58%17.94%31.34%-5.30%21.18%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and SPTM 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

0.96

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

0.96

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

0.96

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2013

0.93

The correlation between QUAL and SPTM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

QUAL vs. SPTM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QUAL
SPTM

Technology

36.5%
34.0%

Financial Services

11.5%
12.1%

Communication Services

11.1%
10.5%

Consumer Cyclical

9.3%
10.3%

Healthcare

9.0%
8.6%

Industrials

8.2%
9.4%

Consumer Defensive

4.9%
4.8%

Energy

4.0%
3.7%

Utilities

1.9%
2.3%

Real Estate

1.8%
2.3%

Basic Materials

1.7%
2.0%

Technology

QUAL
36.5%
SPTM
34.0%

Financial Services

QUAL
11.5%
SPTM
12.1%

Communication Services

QUAL
11.1%
SPTM
10.5%

Consumer Cyclical

QUAL
9.3%
SPTM
10.3%

Healthcare

QUAL
9.0%
SPTM
8.6%

Industrials

QUAL
8.2%
SPTM
9.4%

Consumer Defensive

QUAL
4.9%
SPTM
4.8%

Energy

QUAL
4.0%
SPTM
3.7%

Utilities

QUAL
1.9%
SPTM
2.3%

Real Estate

QUAL
1.8%
SPTM
2.3%

Basic Materials

QUAL
1.7%
SPTM
2.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF

Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD
Often compared with SPTM:
SPTM vs. VTISPTM vs. SPYSPTM vs. VOOSPTM vs. ITOTSPTM vs. SCHGSPTM vs. BKLCSPTM vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. SPTM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5353
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 5353
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 4848
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6060
Martin Ratio Rank
SPTM
SPTM Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
SPTM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SPTM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
SPTM Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
SPTM Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
SPTM Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
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. SPTM - 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 S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM). 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.

QUALSPTMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.84
2.36

-0.51

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.62
3.23

-0.60

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.43

-0.10

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.41

3.22

-0.81

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.00

15.01

-4.02

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. SPTM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the SPTM Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and SPTM, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

QUALSPTMDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.84

2.36

-0.51

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.69

0.80

-0.10

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.79

0.85

-0.06

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.80

0.46

+0.34

Drawdowns

QUAL vs. SPTM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, smaller than the maximum SPTM drawdown of -54.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and SPTM.

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Drawdown Indicators

QUALSPTMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.06%

-54.80%

+20.74%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.03%

-8.68%

-0.35%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.00%

-18.87%

+0.87%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.23%

-24.14%

-4.09%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.06%

-34.66%

+0.60%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.16%

-0.67%

+0.51%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.11%

-9.05%

+4.94%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.98%

1.86%

+0.12%

Volatility

QUAL vs. SPTM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is 2.51%, while SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) has a volatility of 2.88%. This indicates that QUAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPTM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QUALSPTMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.51%

2.88%

-0.37%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.03%

8.92%

+0.11%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

11.83%

11.88%

-0.05%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.33%

16.87%

+0.46%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.10%

18.03%

+0.07%

QUAL vs. SPTM - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTM's 0.03% 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. SPTM - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, less than SPTM's 1.04% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
SPTM
SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF		1.04%1.13%1.28%1.44%1.69%1.25%1.56%1.72%1.90%1.66%1.91%1.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.94, QUAL and SPTM 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.

SPTM has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to QUAL (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUAL dropped -34.06% vs SPTM's -54.80%.

On 10-year performance, SPTM leads with 15.21% vs 14.27% for QUAL. On fees, SPTM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SPTM has performed better with a 15.21% return vs 14.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SPTM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QUAL.

SPTM has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.88% for QUAL.

QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while SPTM tracks S&P Composite 1500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.03% for SPTM.

SPTM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 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.

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