XMHQ vs. QUAL
XMHQ (Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both Quality Factor funds - XMHQ tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Quality Index while QUAL tracks the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XMHQ returned 12.81%/yr vs 14.16%/yr for QUAL. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. XMHQ charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.
Performance
XMHQ vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XMHQ achieves a 13.81% return, which is significantly higher than QUAL's 12.08% return. Over the past 10 years, XMHQ has underperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 12.81%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively higher 14.16% annualized return.
XMHQ
- 1D
- 1.13%
- 1M
- 2.55%
- 6M
- 8.92%
- YTD
- 13.81%
- 1Y
- 17.48%
- 3Y*
- 14.23%
- 5Y*
- 10.44%
- 10Y*
- 12.81%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.54%
QUAL
- 1D
- 1.10%
- 1M
- 1.52%
- 6M
- 9.27%
- YTD
- 12.08%
- 1Y
- 22.77%
- 3Y*
- 18.73%
- 5Y*
- 11.26%
- 10Y*
- 14.16%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.75%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $217.13M | $238.90M | $384.89M | |
| $19.09M | $19.28M | $20.51M |
XMHQ vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XMHQ Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF | 13.81% | 4.71% | 16.79% | 29.51% | -12.42% | 20.98% | 26.61% | 27.18% | -9.08% | 15.64% |
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | 12.08% | 12.65% | 22.29% | 30.88% | -20.50% | 26.94% | 17.04% | 33.89% | -5.70% | 22.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between XMHQ and QUAL is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.77 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.79 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.82 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2013 | 0.75 |
The correlation between XMHQ and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.
XMHQ vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
XMHQ
QUAL
Industrials
Technology
Healthcare
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Energy
Utilities
Basic Materials
Communication Services
Consumer Defensive
Real Estate
-
Industrials
XMHQ
QUAL
Technology
XMHQ
QUAL
Healthcare
XMHQ
QUAL
Financial Services
XMHQ
QUAL
Consumer Cyclical
XMHQ
QUAL
Energy
XMHQ
QUAL
Utilities
XMHQ
QUAL
Basic Materials
XMHQ
QUAL
Communication Services
XMHQ
QUAL
Consumer Defensive
XMHQ
QUAL
Real Estate
XMHQ
-
QUAL
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Return for Risk
XMHQ vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank
XMHQ
QUAL
XMHQ vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF (XMHQ) 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.
| XMHQ | QUAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.70 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.87 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.33 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.98 | 2.53 | -0.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.90 | 11.33 | -5.43 |
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Drawdowns
XMHQ vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XMHQ drawdown since its inception was -58.19%, which is greater than QUAL's maximum drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XMHQ and QUAL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XMHQ | QUAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.19% | -34.06% | -24.13% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.85% | -9.03% | +0.18% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.56% | -18.00% | -6.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.47% | -28.23% | +2.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.90% | -34.06% | -2.84% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.22% | -4.07% | -5.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.97% | 2.01% | +0.96% |
Volatility
XMHQ vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison
Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF (XMHQ) has a higher volatility of 3.28% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 3.07%. This indicates that XMHQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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
| XMHQ | QUAL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.28% | 3.07% | +0.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.03% | 9.70% | +1.33% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.18% | 12.33% | +2.85% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.58% | 17.39% | +3.19% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.64% | 18.10% | +2.54% |
XMHQ vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison
XMHQ has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
XMHQ vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison
XMHQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.56%, less than QUAL's 0.85% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | 0.85% | 0.94% | 1.02% | 1.23% | 1.59% | 1.20% | 1.39% | 1.60% | 2.00% | 1.76% | 1.96% | 1.63% |
XMHQ Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF | 0.56% | 0.64% | 5.20% | 0.73% | 1.72% | 1.00% | 1.12% | 1.22% | 1.59% | 1.06% | 1.63% | 1.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XMHQ and QUAL have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XMHQ has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to QUAL (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XMHQ dropped -58.19% vs QUAL's -34.06%.
On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.16% vs 12.81% for XMHQ. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. 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 14.16% return vs 12.81%. 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 0.25% for XMHQ.
QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.85%, compared with 0.56% for XMHQ.
XMHQ tracks S&P MidCap 400 Quality Index, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for XMHQ and 0.15% for QUAL.
QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.16), 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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