QUAL vs. WQDV.L

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and WQDV.L (iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist)) are both exchange-traded funds - QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while WQDV.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World High Dividend Yield ESG Reduced Carbon Target Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QUAL returned 12.35%/yr vs 12.29%/yr for WQDV.L. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for WQDV.L.

Performance

QUAL vs. WQDV.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WQDV.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUAL achieves a 9.12% return, which is significantly lower than WQDV.L's 13.76% return.

QUAL

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 9.12%
• 6M: 9.00%
• 1Y: 24.08%
• 3Y*: 18.63%
• 5Y*: 12.35%
• 10Y*: 14.37%

WQDV.L

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 13.76%
• 6M: 14.45%
• 1Y: 31.16%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 12.29%
• 10Y*: —

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

QUAL vs. WQDV.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	9.12%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	17.04%	33.89%	-5.70%	12.20%
WQDV.L iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist)	13.76%	24.16%	9.75%	17.23%	-6.95%	16.00%	-0.07%	22.73%	-7.80%	8.45%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and WQDV.L 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	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2017	0.49

The correlation between QUAL and WQDV.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

QUAL vs. WQDV.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QUAL	WQDV.L
Technology	38.8%	37.3%
Communication Services	11.8%	5.5%
Financial Services	10.8%	16.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	5.9%
Healthcare	8.7%	13.5%
Industrials	7.2%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	4.1%
Energy	3.2%	3.2%
Utilities	2.1%	2.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.0%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.1%

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. WQDV.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 61
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 59
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

WQDV.L

WQDV.L Risk / Return Rank: 84
WQDV.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
WQDV.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
WQDV.L Omega Ratio Rank: 83
WQDV.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
WQDV.L Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. WQDV.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WQDV.L). 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	WQDV.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	2.63	-0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	3.90	-1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.47	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	4.05	-1.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.89	14.99	-3.09

QUAL vs. WQDV.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the WQDV.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and WQDV.L, 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. WQDV.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, roughly equal to the maximum WQDV.L drawdown of -33.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and WQDV.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUAL	WQDV.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.06%	-33.16%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-7.79%	-1.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.00%	-14.03%	-3.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-21.24%	-6.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-1.05%	-0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.09%	-4.27%	+0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	2.11%	-0.14%

Volatility

QUAL vs. WQDV.L - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) has a higher volatility of 4.02% compared to iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WQDV.L) at 3.61%. This indicates that QUAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WQDV.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUAL	WQDV.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.02%	3.61%	+0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.61%	9.39%	+0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.10%	12.08%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.38%	13.90%	+3.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.12%	14.66%	+3.46%

QUAL vs. WQDV.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than WQDV.L's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

QUAL vs. WQDV.L - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than WQDV.L's 1.81% 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%
WQDV.L iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist)	1.81%	2.31%	2.58%	2.78%	2.95%	2.75%	2.81%	3.01%	3.28%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QUAL and WQDV.L in my portfolio?

QUAL and WQDV.L 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 ETF is better, QUAL or WQDV.L?

On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUAL or WQDV.L?

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for WQDV.L.

What is the main difference between QUAL and WQDV.L?

QUAL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while WQDV.L is Global Equities. QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while WQDV.L tracks MSCI World High Dividend Yield ESG Reduced Carbon Target Select Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.38% for WQDV.L.