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VIGI vs. QUAL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VIGI vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VIGI (Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VIGI is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P Global Ex-U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIGI returned 8.31%/yr vs 14.46%/yr for QUAL. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

VIGI vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIGI achieves a 3.10% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's 9.44% return. Over the past 10 years, VIGI has underperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 8.31%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively higher 14.46% annualized return.

VIGI

1D
-0.22%
1M
0.88%
YTD
3.10%
6M
3.92%
1Y
6.49%
3Y*
9.51%
5Y*
4.27%
10Y*
8.31%

QUAL

1D
0.47%
1M
2.14%
YTD
9.44%
6M
9.29%
1Y
22.87%
3Y*
19.30%
5Y*
11.97%
10Y*
14.46%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VIGI vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VIGI
Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF		3.10%16.88%2.73%16.30%-16.79%12.51%14.66%27.53%-11.50%27.97%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		9.44%12.65%22.29%30.88%-20.50%26.94%17.04%33.89%-5.70%22.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VIGI and QUAL is 0.74, 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

0.74

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.72

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.75

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.75

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2016

0.75

The correlation between VIGI and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

VIGI vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VIGI
QUAL

Financial Services

29.0%
11.5%

Industrials

17.1%
8.2%

Healthcare

14.6%
9.0%

Technology

11.5%
36.5%

Consumer Defensive

9.7%
4.9%

Utilities

4.8%
1.9%

Basic Materials

4.1%
1.7%

Consumer Cyclical

3.1%
9.3%

Energy

2.8%
4.0%

Communication Services

1.3%
11.1%

Real Estate

1.3%
1.8%

Financial Services

VIGI
29.0%
QUAL
11.5%

Industrials

VIGI
17.1%
QUAL
8.2%

Healthcare

VIGI
14.6%
QUAL
9.0%

Technology

VIGI
11.5%
QUAL
36.5%

Consumer Defensive

VIGI
9.7%
QUAL
4.9%

Utilities

VIGI
4.8%
QUAL
1.9%

Basic Materials

VIGI
4.1%
QUAL
1.7%

Consumer Cyclical

VIGI
3.1%
QUAL
9.3%

Energy

VIGI
2.8%
QUAL
4.0%

Communication Services

VIGI
1.3%
QUAL
11.1%

Real Estate

VIGI
1.3%
QUAL
1.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

Often compared with VIGI:
VIGI vs. VYMIVIGI vs. VIGVIGI vs. SCHYVIGI vs. VXUSVIGI vs. IGROVIGI vs. SCHDVIGI vs. IQLT
Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

VIGI vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VIGI
VIGI Risk / Return Rank: 1616
Overall Rank
VIGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1616
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VIGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 1515
Sortino Ratio Rank
VIGI Omega Ratio Rank: 1515
Omega Ratio Rank
VIGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 1616
Calmar Ratio Rank
VIGI Martin Ratio Rank: 1818
Martin Ratio Rank
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VIGI vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) 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.

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.

VIGIQUALDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.39
1.74

-1.35

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.64
2.46

-1.82

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.08

1.31

-0.23

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.48

2.32

-1.84

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.70

10.60

-8.90

VIGI vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIGI Sharpe Ratio is 0.39, which is lower than the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIGI 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.

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Drawdowns

VIGI vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIGI drawdown since its inception was -31.01%, smaller than the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIGI and QUAL.

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Drawdown Indicators

VIGIQUALDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-31.01%

-34.06%

+3.05%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.64%

-9.03%

-1.61%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.50%

-18.00%

+3.50%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.80%

-28.23%

-0.57%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-31.01%

-34.06%

+3.05%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.03%

-0.19%

-1.84%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.17%

-4.10%

-2.07%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.04%

1.99%

+1.05%

Volatility

VIGI vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) is 3.35%, while iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) has a volatility of 3.63%. This indicates that VIGI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VIGIQUALDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.35%

3.63%

-0.28%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.40%

9.43%

+0.97%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.20%

12.10%

+1.10%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.47%

17.36%

-2.89%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.87%

18.11%

-2.24%

VIGI vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VIGI and QUAL have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VIGI vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

VIGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, more than QUAL's 0.87% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		0.87%0.94%1.02%1.23%1.59%1.20%1.39%1.60%2.00%1.76%1.96%1.63%
VIGI
Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF		2.14%2.14%1.93%1.92%2.06%7.02%1.29%1.83%1.99%1.75%1.05%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

VIGI and QUAL have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QUAL has higher volatility (3.63%) compared to VIGI (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIGI dropped -31.01% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.46% vs 8.31% for VIGI. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, VIGI has been the lower-risk option at 3.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 14.46% return vs 8.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VIGI and QUAL have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

VIGI has the higher dividend yield at 2.14%, compared with 0.87% for QUAL.

VIGI is categorized as Dividend, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. VIGI tracks S&P Global Ex-U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares.

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 0.39), 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.

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