THLV vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

THLV (THOR Equal Weight Low Volatility ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - THLV tracks the THOR Equal Weight Low Volatility Index while QUAL tracks the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, THLV returned 12.59%/yr vs 19.66%/yr for QUAL. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. THLV charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

THLV vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in THOR Equal Weight Low Volatility ETF (THLV) 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, THLV achieves a 9.49% return, which is significantly higher than QUAL's 8.80% return.

THLV

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 9.41%
• 1Y: 18.29%
• 3Y*: 12.59%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QUAL

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 8.80%
• 6M: 8.86%
• 1Y: 21.68%
• 3Y*: 19.66%
• 5Y*: 11.96%
• 10Y*: 14.27%

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

THLV vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
THLV THOR Equal Weight Low Volatility ETF	9.49%	10.50%	9.52%	5.88%	2.55%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	8.80%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between THLV and QUAL is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2022	0.77

The correlation between THLV and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

THLV vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	THLV	QUAL
Energy	17.5%	4.0%
Consumer Cyclical	15.7%	9.3%
Technology	15.7%	36.5%
Utilities	14.7%	1.9%
Real Estate	14.3%	1.8%
Financial Services	13.8%	11.5%
Consumer Defensive	13.7%	4.9%
Industrials	13.5%	8.2%
Healthcare	12.5%	9.0%
Basic Materials	12.2%	1.7%
Communication Services	0.1%	11.1%

Return for Risk

THLV vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

THLV

THLV Risk / Return Rank: 54
THLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
THLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
THLV Omega Ratio Rank: 53
THLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
THLV Martin Ratio Rank: 50

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 53
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

THLV vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for THOR Equal Weight Low Volatility ETF (THLV) 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.

	THLV	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.84	+0.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	2.62	+0.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.32	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	2.41	+0.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.38	11.00	-2.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

THLV vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current THLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of THLV 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

	THLV	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	1.84	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.80	+0.08

Drawdowns

THLV vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum THLV drawdown since its inception was -13.15%, smaller than the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THLV and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	THLV	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.15%	-34.06%	+20.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.66%	-9.03%	+2.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.15%	-18.00%	+4.85%
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	-1.99%	-0.16%	-1.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-4.11%	+0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	1.98%	+0.21%

Volatility

THLV vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

THOR Equal Weight Low Volatility ETF (THLV) has a higher volatility of 3.45% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 2.51%. This indicates that THLV'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

	THLV	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	2.51%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.48%	9.03%	-1.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.84%	11.83%	-1.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.73%	17.33%	-5.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.73%	18.10%	-6.37%

THLV vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

THLV has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

THLV vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

THLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, more than QUAL's 0.88% 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%
THLV THOR Equal Weight Low Volatility ETF	1.62%	1.77%	1.25%	2.72%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both THLV and QUAL in my portfolio?

THLV and QUAL have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, THLV or QUAL?

THLV has higher volatility (3.45%) compared to QUAL (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, THLV dropped -13.15% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, THLV or QUAL?

On 3-year performance, QUAL leads with 19.66% vs 12.59% for THLV. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, THLV or QUAL?

Over the 3-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 19.66% return vs 12.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, THLV or QUAL?

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for THLV.

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

THLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.62%, compared with 0.88% for QUAL.

What is the main difference between THLV and QUAL?

THLV tracks THOR Equal Weight Low Volatility Index, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: THOR and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for THLV and 0.15% for QUAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

THLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.84), 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.