QUAL vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QUAL returned 14.19%/yr vs 8.99%/yr for XLU. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

QUAL vs. XLU - 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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUAL achieves a 7.89% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 2.66% return. Over the past 10 years, QUAL has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 14.19%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.99% annualized return.

QUAL

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 7.89%
• 6M: 8.26%
• 1Y: 19.70%
• 3Y*: 19.43%
• 5Y*: 11.82%
• 10Y*: 14.19%

XLU

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -2.68%
• YTD: 2.66%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 10.26%
• 3Y*: 12.85%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 8.99%

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

QUAL vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	7.89%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	17.04%	33.89%	-5.70%	22.26%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and XLU is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2013	0.37

The correlation between QUAL and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.37 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QUAL vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QUAL	XLU
Technology	36.5%	-
Financial Services	11.5%	-
Communication Services	11.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	-
Healthcare	9.0%	-
Industrials	8.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	4.0%	-
Utilities	1.9%	100.0%
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 54
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 61

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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. XLU - 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 Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	QUAL	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	0.71	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	1.04	+1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.13	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	1.12	+1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.96	2.47	+7.49
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. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and XLU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QUAL	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	0.71	+0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.53	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.47	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.40	+0.40

Drawdowns

QUAL vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUAL	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.06%	-51.98%	+17.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-9.18%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.00%	-17.26%	-0.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-25.26%	-2.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.06%	-36.07%	+2.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.61%	-8.18%	+6.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.10%	-10.22%	+6.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	4.16%	-2.18%

Volatility

QUAL vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is 3.12%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.60%. This indicates that QUAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUAL	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	5.60%	-2.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.28%	11.70%	-2.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.01%	14.64%	-2.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.35%	17.34%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.11%	19.27%	-1.16%

QUAL vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% 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. XLU - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, less than XLU's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.73%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QUAL and XLU in my portfolio?

QUAL and XLU have a correlation of 0.21, 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 XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.60%) compared to QUAL (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUAL dropped -34.06% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, QUAL or XLU?

On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.19% vs 8.99% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QUAL or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 14.19% return vs 8.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUAL or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QUAL.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 0.88% for QUAL.

What is the main difference between QUAL and XLU?

QUAL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 0.70), 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.