QUAL vs. SPYG

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and SPYG (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while SPYG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QUAL returned 14.46%/yr vs 17.91%/yr for SPYG. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPYG.

Performance

QUAL vs. SPYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with QUAL having a 9.44% return and SPYG slightly higher at 9.70%. Over the past 10 years, QUAL has underperformed SPYG with an annualized return of 14.46%, while SPYG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.91% 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%

SPYG

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -2.81%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 10.60%
• 1Y: 29.17%
• 3Y*: 25.85%
• 5Y*: 14.92%
• 10Y*: 17.91%

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

QUAL vs. SPYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	9.70%	22.09%	35.99%	30.02%	-29.41%	32.01%	33.46%	30.84%	-0.12%	27.24%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and SPYG is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2013	0.92

The correlation between QUAL and SPYG shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QUAL vs. SPYG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QUAL	SPYG
Technology	36.5%	52.2%
Financial Services	11.5%	8.3%
Communication Services	11.1%	16.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	8.9%
Healthcare	9.0%	5.8%
Industrials	8.2%	5.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	1.0%
Energy	4.0%	0.1%
Utilities	1.9%	1.1%
Real Estate	1.8%	0.5%
Basic Materials	1.7%	0.3%

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. SPYG — Risk / Return Rank

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

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 59
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 56
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 67

SPYG

SPYG Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SPYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
SPYG Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SPYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
SPYG 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. SPYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). 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	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.65	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	2.26	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.29	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.01	+0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.60	8.08	+2.52

QUAL vs. SPYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the SPYG Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and SPYG, 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. SPYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, smaller than the maximum SPYG drawdown of -67.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and SPYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUAL	SPYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.06%	-67.63%	+33.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-13.76%	+4.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.00%	-22.14%	+4.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-32.67%	+4.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.06%	-32.67%	-1.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-4.65%	+4.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.10%	-24.30%	+20.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	3.42%	-1.43%

Volatility

QUAL vs. SPYG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is 3.63%, while State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) has a volatility of 6.33%. This indicates that QUAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUAL	SPYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.63%	6.33%	-2.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.43%	13.48%	-4.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.10%	16.81%	-4.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.36%	21.27%	-3.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.11%	20.70%	-2.59%

QUAL vs. SPYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYG's 0.04% 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. SPYG - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, more than SPYG's 0.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.48%	0.52%	0.60%	1.15%	1.03%	0.62%	0.90%	1.37%	1.51%	1.41%	1.55%	1.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QUAL and SPYG in my portfolio?

QUAL and SPYG have a correlation of 0.82, 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 SPYG?

SPYG has higher volatility (6.33%) compared to QUAL (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUAL dropped -34.06% vs SPYG's -67.63%.

Which ETF is better, QUAL or SPYG?

On 10-year performance, SPYG leads with 17.91% vs 14.46% for QUAL. On fees, SPYG is cheaper at 0.04% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, QUAL or SPYG?

Over the 10-year period, SPYG has performed better with a 17.91% return vs 14.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUAL or SPYG?

SPYG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QUAL.

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

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.48% for SPYG.

What is the main difference between QUAL and SPYG?

QUAL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPYG is S&P 500. QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while SPYG tracks S&P 500 Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.04% for SPYG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.65), 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.