SOCL vs. QWLD

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SOCL (Global X Social Media ETF) and QWLD (SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - SOCL tracks the Solactive Social Media Index while QWLD tracks the MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOCL returned 7.94%/yr vs 11.64%/yr for QWLD. Their 0.51 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SOCL charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for QWLD.

Performance

SOCL vs. QWLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Social Media ETF (SOCL) and SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOCL achieves a -15.30% return, which is significantly lower than QWLD's 10.03% return. Over the past 10 years, SOCL has underperformed QWLD with an annualized return of 7.94%, while QWLD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.64% annualized return.

SOCL

• 1D: 2.67%
• 1M: 3.26%
• 6M: -15.56%
• YTD: -15.30%
• 1Y: -13.52%
• 3Y*: 6.70%
• 5Y*: -6.29%
• 10Y*: 7.94%
• ALL TIME*: 8.35%

QWLD

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 2.22%
• 6M: 5.89%
• YTD: 10.03%
• 1Y: 19.80%
• 3Y*: 16.43%
• 5Y*: 10.04%
• 10Y*: 11.64%
• ALL TIME*: 10.53%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	$247.86K	$289.30K	$1.06M
SOCL Global X Social Media ETF	$257.44K	$226.25K	$381.77K

SOCL vs. QWLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SOCL Global X Social Media ETF	-15.30%	31.04%	5.08%	31.08%	-42.23%	-12.84%	78.35%	25.74%	-16.39%	54.65%
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	10.03%	17.93%	14.44%	19.59%	-13.30%	21.57%	10.24%	27.59%	-7.02%	22.44%

Correlation

The correlation between SOCL and QWLD is 0.53, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2014	0.51

The correlation between SOCL and QWLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (all time) to 0.62 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SOCL vs. QWLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SOCL	QWLD
Communication Services	95.4%	9.5%
Technology	3.5%	24.9%
Consumer Defensive	0.6%	8.1%
Industrials	0.4%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	6.3%
Basic Materials	-	2.5%
Energy	-	3.4%
Financial Services	-	16.5%
Healthcare	-	13.2%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Utilities	-	3.8%

Return for Risk

SOCL vs. QWLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SOCL

SOCL Risk / Return Rank: 5
SOCL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
SOCL Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
SOCL Omega Ratio Rank: 5
SOCL Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
SOCL Martin Ratio Rank: 6

QWLD

QWLD Risk / Return Rank: 81
QWLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QWLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
QWLD Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QWLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
QWLD Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SOCL vs. QWLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Social Media ETF (SOCL) and SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD). 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.

	SOCL	QWLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.54	2.06	-2.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.63	2.91	-3.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.37	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.40	2.60	-3.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.71	11.35	-12.06

SOCL vs. QWLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOCL Sharpe Ratio is -0.54, which is lower than the QWLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOCL and QWLD, 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

SOCL vs. QWLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOCL drawdown since its inception was -68.70%, which is greater than QWLD's maximum drawdown of -31.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOCL and QWLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOCL	QWLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.70%	-31.89%	-36.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.52%	-7.66%	-25.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.52%	-12.40%	-21.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.06%	-22.84%	-41.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-68.70%	-31.89%	-36.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.14%	0.00%	-39.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.16%	-3.66%	-18.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.14%	1.75%	+17.39%

Volatility

SOCL vs. QWLD - Volatility Comparison

Global X Social Media ETF (SOCL) has a higher volatility of 7.01% compared to SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD) at 2.28%. This indicates that SOCL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QWLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SOCL	QWLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.01%	2.28%	+4.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.84%	7.74%	+12.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.00%	9.70%	+15.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.90%	13.51%	+16.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.68%	15.12%	+12.56%

SOCL vs. QWLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOCL has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than QWLD's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOCL vs. QWLD - Dividend Comparison

SOCL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than QWLD's 1.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	1.78%	1.85%	1.74%	1.78%	2.02%	1.77%	1.77%	2.13%	2.33%	2.73%	2.22%	3.42%
SOCL Global X Social Media ETF	0.46%	0.43%	0.25%	0.61%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.49%	0.18%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SOCL and QWLD in my portfolio?

SOCL and QWLD have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SOCL or QWLD?

SOCL has higher volatility (7.01%) compared to QWLD (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOCL dropped -68.70% vs QWLD's -31.89%.

Which ETF is better, SOCL or QWLD?

On 10-year performance, QWLD leads with 11.64% vs 7.94% for SOCL. On fees, QWLD is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, QWLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SOCL or QWLD?

Over the 10-year period, QWLD has performed better with a 11.64% return vs 7.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SOCL or QWLD?

QWLD is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SOCL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SOCL or QWLD?

QWLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.78%, compared with 0.46% for SOCL.

What is the main difference between SOCL and QWLD?

SOCL tracks Solactive Social Media Index, while QWLD tracks MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD). They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SOCL and 0.30% for QWLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QWLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs -0.54), 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.