VALQ vs. QGRO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VALQ (American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF) and QGRO (American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VALQ is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Value Index, while QGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the American Century U.S. Quality Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VALQ returned 9.10%/yr vs 11.79%/yr for QGRO. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.29% expense ratio.

Performance

VALQ vs. QGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF (VALQ) and American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VALQ achieves a 4.80% return, which is significantly higher than QGRO's 2.67% return.

VALQ

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 4.80%
• 6M: 3.92%
• 1Y: 15.85%
• 3Y*: 14.48%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: —

QGRO

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 2.62%
• YTD: 2.67%
• 6M: 0.92%
• 1Y: 13.27%
• 3Y*: 20.91%
• 5Y*: 11.79%
• 10Y*: —

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

VALQ vs. QGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VALQ American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF	4.80%	10.58%	16.71%	13.87%	-7.73%	27.05%	0.64%	24.52%	-13.11%
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF	2.67%	15.18%	31.42%	32.42%	-24.54%	24.57%	37.99%	35.09%	-16.08%

Correlation

The correlation between VALQ and QGRO is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2018	0.74

The correlation between VALQ and QGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.79 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VALQ vs. QGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VALQ	QGRO
Technology	33.5%	43.5%
Healthcare	14.9%	11.2%
Consumer Defensive	13.5%	3.5%
Industrials	10.7%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	8.4%
Communication Services	6.8%	14.0%
Financial Services	4.5%	3.9%
Energy	4.0%	1.2%
Basic Materials	1.9%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.8%	0.8%
Utilities	-	2.5%

Return for Risk

VALQ vs. QGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VALQ

VALQ Risk / Return Rank: 40
VALQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VALQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VALQ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VALQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VALQ Martin Ratio Rank: 38

QGRO

QGRO Risk / Return Rank: 23
QGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
QGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
QGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 22
QGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
QGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

VALQ vs. QGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF (VALQ) and American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO). 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.

	VALQ	QGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	0.84	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	1.25	+0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.15	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	0.98	+1.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.75	3.29	+2.46

VALQ vs. QGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VALQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is higher than the QGRO Sharpe Ratio of 0.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VALQ and QGRO, 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

VALQ vs. QGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VALQ drawdown since its inception was -38.19%, which is greater than QGRO's maximum drawdown of -32.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VALQ and QGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VALQ	QGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.19%	-32.56%	-5.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-13.54%	+5.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.62%	-23.82%	+8.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.19%	-31.86%	+11.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.57%	-0.74%	-0.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-7.64%	+2.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	4.05%	-1.29%

Volatility

VALQ vs. QGRO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF (VALQ) is 3.63%, while American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) has a volatility of 5.46%. This indicates that VALQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QGRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VALQ	QGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.63%	5.46%	-1.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.29%	12.49%	-4.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.27%	15.91%	-4.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.50%	21.15%	-6.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.64%	22.92%	-5.28%

VALQ vs. QGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VALQ and QGRO have an expense ratio of 0.29%.

Dividends

VALQ vs. QGRO - Dividend Comparison

VALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%, more than QGRO's 0.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF	0.25%	0.25%	0.25%	0.41%	0.46%	0.31%	0.22%	0.38%	0.13%
VALQ American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF	2.34%	1.88%	1.58%	1.76%	2.71%	1.58%	2.08%	2.31%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VALQ and QGRO in my portfolio?

VALQ and QGRO have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VALQ or QGRO?

QGRO has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to VALQ (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VALQ dropped -38.19% vs QGRO's -32.56%.

Which ETF is better, VALQ or QGRO?

On 5-year performance, QGRO leads with 11.79% vs 9.10% for VALQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.29% expense ratio. On volatility, VALQ 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, VALQ or QGRO?

Over the 5-year period, QGRO has performed better with a 11.79% return vs 9.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VALQ or QGRO?

VALQ and QGRO have the same expense ratio: 0.29% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VALQ or QGRO?

VALQ has the higher dividend yield at 2.34%, compared with 0.25% for QGRO.

What is the main difference between VALQ and QGRO?

VALQ is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while QGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. VALQ tracks iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Value Index, while QGRO tracks American Century U.S. Quality Growth Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VALQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 0.84), 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.