TOK vs. GQGU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TOK (iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF) and GQGU (GQG US Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. TOK is passively managed, while GQGU is actively managed. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. TOK charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for GQGU.

Performance

TOK vs. GQGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (TOK) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TOK achieves a 9.75% return, which is significantly higher than GQGU's 6.60% return.

TOK

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 4.53%
• YTD: 9.75%
• 6M: 10.43%
• 1Y: 25.70%
• 3Y*: 20.98%
• 5Y*: 12.18%
• 10Y*: 13.60%

GQGU

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 6.60%
• 6M: 7.16%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TOK vs. GQGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TOK iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF	9.75%	9.55%
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	6.60%	-1.14%

Correlation

The correlation between TOK and GQGU is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2025	-0.08

Return for Risk

TOK vs. GQGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

TOK

TOK Risk / Return Rank: 64
TOK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
TOK Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
TOK Omega Ratio Rank: 63
TOK Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
TOK Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

TOK vs. GQGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (TOK) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU). 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.

	TOK	GQGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.07	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TOK	GQGU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.60	-0.17

Drawdowns

TOK vs. GQGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TOK drawdown since its inception was -56.18%, which is greater than GQGU's maximum drawdown of -6.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TOK and GQGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	TOK	GQGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.18%	-6.65%	-49.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.07%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.23%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.86%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-4.66%	+3.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.52%	-2.54%	-5.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	TOK	GQGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.23%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.36%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.94%	10.14%	+1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.93%	10.14%	+5.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.15%	10.14%	+7.01%

TOK vs. GQGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

TOK has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than GQGU's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

TOK vs. GQGU - Dividend Comparison

TOK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, more than GQGU's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	0.96%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TOK iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF	1.25%	1.37%	1.66%	1.95%	3.55%	1.66%	1.52%	2.12%	2.74%	2.60%	2.56%	3.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TOK and GQGU in my portfolio?

TOK and GQGU have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, TOK or GQGU?

On fees, TOK is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, TOK or GQGU?

TOK is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for GQGU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TOK or GQGU?

TOK has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.96% for GQGU.

What is the main difference between TOK and GQGU?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and GQG Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for TOK and 0.49% for GQGU.