SRHQ vs. IQSM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SRHQ (SRH U.S. Quality ETF) and IQSM (IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - SRHQ tracks the SRH US Quality Index - Benchmark TR Gross while IQSM tracks the IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Mid Cap Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SRHQ returned 17.11%/yr vs 13.84%/yr for IQSM. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SRHQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for IQSM.

Performance

SRHQ vs. IQSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SRH U.S. Quality ETF (SRHQ) and IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SRHQ having a 11.72% return and IQSM slightly higher at 11.77%.

SRHQ

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 13.52%
• 1Y: 21.95%
• 3Y*: 17.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IQSM

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 4.36%
• YTD: 11.77%
• 6M: 12.17%
• 1Y: 22.78%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SRHQ vs. IQSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SRHQ SRH U.S. Quality ETF	11.72%	7.34%	16.49%	21.81%	1.92%
IQSM IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF	11.77%	7.97%	9.15%	15.82%	2.29%

Correlation

The correlation between SRHQ and IQSM is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2022	0.91

The correlation between SRHQ and IQSM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

SRHQ vs. IQSM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SRHQ	IQSM
Industrials	22.5%	23.1%
Technology	22.1%	15.5%
Healthcare	20.4%	14.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	10.2%
Financial Services	9.1%	12.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	4.6%
Communication Services	2.5%	2.6%
Basic Materials	1.3%	4.1%
Real Estate	1.3%	10.0%
Utilities	1.3%	0.6%
Energy	1.2%	2.6%

Return for Risk

SRHQ vs. IQSM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SRHQ

SRHQ Risk / Return Rank: 53
SRHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
SRHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SRHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SRHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SRHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

IQSM

IQSM Risk / Return Rank: 48
IQSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
IQSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IQSM Omega Ratio Rank: 42
IQSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IQSM Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

SRHQ vs. IQSM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SRH U.S. Quality ETF (SRHQ) and IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM). 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.

	SRHQ	IQSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.53	-0.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	2.24	-0.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.27	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.50	2.58	+0.92
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.97	9.43	+2.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SRHQ vs. IQSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SRHQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the IQSM Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SRHQ and IQSM, 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

	SRHQ	IQSM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	1.53	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.06	0.74	+0.32

Drawdowns

SRHQ vs. IQSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SRHQ drawdown since its inception was -18.50%, smaller than the maximum IQSM drawdown of -23.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SRHQ and IQSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SRHQ	IQSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.50%	-23.66%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.31%	-8.86%	+2.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.50%	-23.66%	+5.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.72%	0.00%	-1.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.08%	-4.87%	+1.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	2.42%	-0.58%

Volatility

SRHQ vs. IQSM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SRH U.S. Quality ETF (SRHQ) is 3.48%, while IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) has a volatility of 3.97%. This indicates that SRHQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IQSM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SRHQ	IQSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.48%	3.97%	-0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.71%	10.98%	-0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.75%	14.97%	-0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.03%	17.89%	-1.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.03%	17.89%	-1.86%

SRHQ vs. IQSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SRHQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IQSM's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SRHQ vs. IQSM - Dividend Comparison

SRHQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.71%, less than IQSM's 1.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
IQSM IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF	1.06%	1.18%	1.22%	1.11%	0.32%
SRHQ SRH U.S. Quality ETF	0.71%	0.76%	0.66%	0.84%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SRHQ and IQSM in my portfolio?

SRHQ and IQSM have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SRHQ or IQSM?

IQSM has higher volatility (3.97%) compared to SRHQ (3.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SRHQ dropped -18.50% vs IQSM's -23.66%.

Which ETF is better, SRHQ or IQSM?

On 3-year performance, SRHQ leads with 17.11% vs 13.84% for IQSM. On fees, IQSM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, SRHQ has been the lower-risk option at 3.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SRHQ or IQSM?

Over the 3-year period, SRHQ has performed better with a 17.11% return vs 13.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SRHQ or IQSM?

IQSM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SRHQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SRHQ or IQSM?

IQSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.06%, compared with 0.71% for SRHQ.

What is the main difference between SRHQ and IQSM?

SRHQ tracks SRH US Quality Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while IQSM tracks IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Mid Cap Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: SRH and IndexIQ. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SRHQ and 0.15% for IQSM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 1.50), 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.