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VSLU vs. QUAL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VSLU vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VSLU (Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. VSLU is actively managed, while QUAL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VSLU returned 13.31%/yr vs 11.96%/yr for QUAL. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSLU charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

VSLU vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) 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, VSLU achieves a 3.23% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's 9.09% return.

VSLU

1D
-0.85%
1M
-2.07%
YTD
3.23%
6M
4.07%
1Y
22.76%
3Y*
20.03%
5Y*
13.31%
10Y*
—

QUAL

1D
-0.03%
1M
0.86%
YTD
9.09%
6M
8.41%
1Y
24.05%
3Y*
19.05%
5Y*
11.96%
10Y*
14.62%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VSLU vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
VSLU
Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF		3.23%21.52%23.80%26.79%-16.05%14.11%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		9.09%12.65%22.29%30.88%-20.50%14.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VSLU and QUAL is 0.87, 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

0.87

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

0.91

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

0.94

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2021

0.94

The correlation between VSLU and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

VSLU vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VSLU
QUAL

Technology

38.9%
38.8%

Communication Services

14.2%
11.8%

Healthcare

11.6%
8.7%

Consumer Cyclical

10.5%
9.3%

Financial Services

8.8%
10.8%

Industrials

7.0%
7.2%

Consumer Defensive

4.2%
4.4%

Energy

2.0%
3.2%

Utilities

1.1%
2.1%

Basic Materials

1.0%
1.9%

Real Estate

0.8%
1.8%

Technology

VSLU
38.9%
QUAL
38.8%

Communication Services

VSLU
14.2%
QUAL
11.8%

Healthcare

VSLU
11.6%
QUAL
8.7%

Consumer Cyclical

VSLU
10.5%
QUAL
9.3%

Financial Services

VSLU
8.8%
QUAL
10.8%

Industrials

VSLU
7.0%
QUAL
7.2%

Consumer Defensive

VSLU
4.2%
QUAL
4.4%

Energy

VSLU
2.0%
QUAL
3.2%

Utilities

VSLU
1.1%
QUAL
2.1%

Basic Materials

VSLU
1.0%
QUAL
1.9%

Real Estate

VSLU
0.8%
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.

Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

Often compared with VSLU:
VSLU vs. VTIVSLU vs. SPYVSLU vs. VOOVSLU vs. AAAUVSLU vs. FXAIXVSLU vs. SPMOVSLU vs. OEF
Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

VSLU vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VSLU
VSLU Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
VSLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VSLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 5252
Sortino Ratio Rank
VSLU Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
VSLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
VSLU Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6363
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5656
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
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.

VSLU vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) 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.

VSLUQUALDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.80
2.00

-0.20

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.47
2.82

-0.34

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.35

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.50

2.67

-0.18

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.70

12.20

-1.50

VSLU vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSLU Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSLU 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

VSLU vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSLU drawdown since its inception was -23.86%, smaller than the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSLU and QUAL.

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Drawdown Indicators

VSLUQUALDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-23.86%

-34.06%

+10.20%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.16%

-9.03%

-0.13%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.89%

-18.00%

+0.11%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-23.86%

-28.23%

+4.37%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-34.06%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.66%

-1.54%

-2.12%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.86%

-4.09%

-0.77%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.13%

1.98%

+0.15%

Volatility

VSLU vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) have volatilities of 3.72% and 3.85%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VSLUQUALDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.72%

3.85%

-0.13%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.74%

9.56%

+0.18%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.74%

12.09%

+0.65%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.23%

17.38%

-1.15%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.13%

18.13%

-2.00%

VSLU vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSLU has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSLU vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

VSLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less 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%
VSLU
Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF		0.45%0.46%0.60%0.60%0.99%0.57%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

VSLU and QUAL have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QUAL has higher volatility (3.85%) compared to VSLU (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSLU dropped -23.86% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

On 5-year performance, VSLU leads with 13.31% vs 11.96% for QUAL. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, VSLU has been the lower-risk option at 3.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, VSLU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 11.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for VSLU.

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.45% for VSLU.

They also come from different issuers: Applied Finance and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for VSLU and 0.15% for QUAL.

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.80), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VSLU and QUAL

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