URTH vs. QWLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

URTH (iShares MSCI World ETF) and QWLD (SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URTH is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Index (Net), while QWLD is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, URTH returned 13.19%/yr vs 11.68%/yr for QWLD. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. URTH charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for QWLD.

Performance

URTH vs. QWLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) 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, URTH achieves a 10.16% return, which is significantly higher than QWLD's 6.55% return. Over the past 10 years, URTH has outperformed QWLD with an annualized return of 13.19%, while QWLD has yielded a comparatively lower 11.68% annualized return.

URTH

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 10.16%
• 6M: 10.88%
• 1Y: 26.06%
• 3Y*: 20.81%
• 5Y*: 11.86%
• 10Y*: 13.19%

QWLD

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 2.55%
• YTD: 6.55%
• 6M: 7.32%
• 1Y: 17.09%
• 3Y*: 16.35%
• 5Y*: 9.96%
• 10Y*: 11.68%

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

URTH vs. QWLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	10.16%	21.36%	18.66%	23.95%	-17.97%	22.27%	15.78%	28.15%	-8.56%	22.95%
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	6.55%	17.93%	14.44%	19.59%	-13.30%	21.57%	10.24%	27.59%	-7.02%	22.44%

Correlation

The correlation between URTH and QWLD is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2014	0.78

The correlation between URTH and QWLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.95 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

URTH vs. QWLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URTH	QWLD
Technology	28.3%	22.3%
Financial Services	15.8%	13.8%
Industrials	11.3%	8.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	5.0%
Communication Services	9.3%	9.6%
Healthcare	8.8%	12.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	7.6%
Energy	4.2%	4.5%
Basic Materials	3.3%	2.9%
Utilities	2.7%	3.7%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.8%

Return for Risk

URTH vs. QWLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

URTH

URTH Risk / Return Rank: 63
URTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
URTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
URTH Omega Ratio Rank: 63
URTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
URTH Martin Ratio Rank: 69

QWLD

QWLD Risk / Return Rank: 50
QWLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
QWLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
QWLD Omega Ratio Rank: 49
QWLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
QWLD 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.

URTH vs. QWLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) 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.

	URTH	QWLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	1.77	+0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	2.55	+0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.31	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	2.24	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.11	9.70	+3.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

URTH vs. QWLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URTH Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the QWLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URTH 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	URTH	QWLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	1.77	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.74	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.77	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.69	+0.03

Drawdowns

URTH vs. QWLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URTH drawdown since its inception was -34.01%, which is greater than QWLD's maximum drawdown of -31.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URTH and QWLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	URTH	QWLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.01%	-31.89%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.06%	-7.66%	-1.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.94%	-12.40%	-4.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.05%	-22.84%	-3.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.01%	-31.89%	-2.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.56%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.37%	-3.71%	-0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	1.77%	+0.22%

Volatility

URTH vs. QWLD - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) has a higher volatility of 3.27% compared to SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD) at 2.26%. This indicates that URTH'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

	URTH	QWLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.27%	2.26%	+1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.42%	7.51%	+1.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.05%	9.68%	+2.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.19%	13.53%	+2.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.27%	15.18%	+2.09%

URTH vs. QWLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

URTH has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than QWLD's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

URTH vs. QWLD - Dividend Comparison

URTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, less than QWLD's 1.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	1.84%	1.85%	1.74%	1.78%	2.02%	1.77%	1.77%	2.13%	2.33%	2.73%	2.22%	3.42%
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	1.35%	1.48%	1.47%	1.70%	1.68%	1.50%	1.52%	2.16%	2.30%	1.88%	2.15%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URTH and QWLD in my portfolio?

URTH and QWLD have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URTH or QWLD?

URTH has higher volatility (3.27%) compared to QWLD (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URTH dropped -34.01% vs QWLD's -31.89%.

Which ETF is better, URTH or QWLD?

On 10-year performance, URTH leads with 13.19% vs 11.68% for QWLD. On fees, URTH is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, QWLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URTH or QWLD?

Over the 10-year period, URTH has performed better with a 13.19% return vs 11.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URTH or QWLD?

URTH is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for QWLD.

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

QWLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.84%, compared with 1.35% for URTH.

What is the main difference between URTH and QWLD?

URTH is categorized as Global Equities, while QWLD is Large Cap Growth Equities. URTH tracks MSCI World Index (Net), while QWLD tracks MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD). They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for URTH and 0.30% for QWLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

URTH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.77), 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.