SPLV vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPLV (Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPLV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Low Volatility Index, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPLV returned 8.36%/yr vs 14.46%/yr for QUAL. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPLV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

SPLV vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) 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, SPLV achieves a 5.23% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's 9.44% return. Over the past 10 years, SPLV has underperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 8.36%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively higher 14.46% annualized return.

SPLV

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 2.29%
• YTD: 5.23%
• 6M: 5.17%
• 1Y: 5.09%
• 3Y*: 8.60%
• 5Y*: 6.12%
• 10Y*: 8.36%

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%

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

SPLV vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPLV Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF	5.23%	4.10%	13.93%	0.53%	-4.88%	24.13%	-1.39%	27.87%	-0.19%	17.32%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between SPLV and QUAL is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2013	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between SPLV and QUAL has dropped to 0.27 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SPLV vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPLV	QUAL
Utilities	24.9%	2.1%
Financial Services	21.3%	10.8%
Real Estate	17.8%	1.8%
Industrials	12.2%	7.2%
Consumer Defensive	9.4%	4.4%
Healthcare	4.0%	8.7%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	9.3%
Energy	2.7%	3.2%
Basic Materials	2.1%	1.9%
Technology	0.8%	38.8%
Communication Services	0.8%	11.8%

Return for Risk

SPLV vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPLV

SPLV Risk / Return Rank: 16
SPLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
SPLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
SPLV Omega Ratio Rank: 14
SPLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
SPLV Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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

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.

SPLV vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) 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.

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.

	SPLV	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.41	1.74	-1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.65	2.46	-1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.31	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.56	2.32	-1.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.31	10.60	-9.29

SPLV vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPLV Sharpe Ratio is 0.41, which is lower than the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPLV 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.

Drawdowns

SPLV vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPLV drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, which is greater than QUAL's maximum drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPLV and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPLV	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-34.06%	-2.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.41%	-9.03%	+1.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.64%	-18.00%	+8.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.26%	-28.23%	+10.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.26%	-34.06%	-2.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.31%	-0.19%	-3.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.55%	-4.10%	+0.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.15%	1.99%	+1.16%

Volatility

SPLV vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) has a higher volatility of 4.01% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 3.63%. This indicates that SPLV'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

	SPLV	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.01%	3.63%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.23%	9.43%	-2.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.14%	12.10%	-1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.50%	17.36%	-4.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.38%	18.11%	-2.73%

SPLV vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPLV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% 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

SPLV vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

SPLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, more 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%
SPLV Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF	2.14%	2.04%	1.88%	2.45%	2.11%	1.51%	2.12%	2.08%	2.18%	2.03%	2.03%	2.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPLV and QUAL in my portfolio?

SPLV and QUAL have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPLV or QUAL?

SPLV has higher volatility (4.01%) compared to QUAL (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPLV dropped -36.26% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, SPLV or QUAL?

On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.46% vs 8.36% for SPLV. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% 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, SPLV or QUAL?

Over the 10-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 14.46% return vs 8.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPLV or QUAL?

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for SPLV.

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

SPLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.14%, compared with 0.87% for QUAL.

What is the main difference between SPLV and QUAL?

SPLV is categorized as S&P 500, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. SPLV tracks S&P 500 Low Volatility Index, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SPLV and 0.15% for QUAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 0.41), 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.