SAMT vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SAMT (Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. SAMT is actively managed, while QUAL is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SAMT returned 29.20%/yr vs 20.16%/yr for QUAL. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SAMT charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

SAMT vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAMT achieves a 21.09% return, which is significantly higher than QUAL's 9.65% return.

SAMT

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 6.23%
• YTD: 21.09%
• 6M: 24.25%
• 1Y: 43.25%
• 3Y*: 29.20%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QUAL

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 4.74%
• YTD: 9.65%
• 6M: 9.63%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 20.16%
• 5Y*: 12.13%
• 10Y*: 14.29%

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

SAMT vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SAMT Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF	21.09%	33.10%	28.15%	1.27%	-6.59%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	9.65%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-11.12%

Correlation

The correlation between SAMT and QUAL is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2022	0.76

The correlation between SAMT and QUAL shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.76 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SAMT vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SAMT	QUAL
Technology	27.8%	36.5%
Industrials	22.0%	8.2%
Consumer Defensive	12.0%	4.9%
Communication Services	7.8%	11.1%
Utilities	6.6%	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	5.6%	9.3%
Financial Services	5.6%	11.5%
Healthcare	4.3%	9.0%
Energy	2.9%	4.0%
Real Estate	2.9%	1.8%
Basic Materials	2.7%	1.7%

Return for Risk

SAMT vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAMT

SAMT Risk / Return Rank: 80
SAMT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
SAMT Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
SAMT Omega Ratio Rank: 74
SAMT Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SAMT Martin Ratio Rank: 77

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 56
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 55
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

SAMT vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.

	SAMT	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.60	1.88	+0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	2.68	+0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.33	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.33	2.47	+2.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.71	11.25	+3.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAMT vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAMT Sharpe Ratio is 2.60, which is higher than the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAMT and QUAL, 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

	SAMT	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60	1.88	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.99	0.80	+0.18

Drawdowns

SAMT vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAMT drawdown since its inception was -20.57%, smaller than the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAMT and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAMT	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.57%	-34.06%	+13.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.15%	-9.03%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.27%	-18.00%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.71%	-4.10%	-3.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	1.98%	+0.97%

Volatility

SAMT vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT) has a higher volatility of 6.79% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 2.54%. This indicates that SAMT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAMT	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.79%	2.54%	+4.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.57%	9.06%	+3.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.69%	11.84%	+4.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.93%	17.33%	-0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.93%	18.09%	-1.16%

SAMT vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAMT has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAMT vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

SAMT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.58%, less than QUAL's 0.87% 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%
SAMT Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF	0.58%	0.70%	1.40%	1.49%	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAMT and QUAL in my portfolio?

SAMT and QUAL have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAMT or QUAL?

SAMT has higher volatility (6.79%) compared to QUAL (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAMT dropped -20.57% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, SAMT or QUAL?

On 3-year performance, SAMT leads with 29.20% vs 20.16% for QUAL. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SAMT or QUAL?

Over the 3-year period, SAMT has performed better with a 29.20% return vs 20.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SAMT or QUAL?

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for SAMT.

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

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.58% for SAMT.

What is the main difference between SAMT and QUAL?

They also come from different issuers: Strategas and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.66% for SAMT and 0.15% for QUAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAMT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.88), 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.