XSHQ vs. EQLT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XSHQ (Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF) and EQLT (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF) are both Quality Factor funds - XSHQ tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Quality Index while EQLT tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XSHQ returned 20.29% vs 44.38% for EQLT. Their 0.48 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. XSHQ charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for EQLT.

Performance

XSHQ vs. EQLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (XSHQ) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSHQ achieves a 14.76% return, which is significantly lower than EQLT's 22.86% return.

XSHQ

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.52%
• 6M: 11.29%
• YTD: 14.76%
• 1Y: 20.29%
• 3Y*: 9.48%
• 5Y*: 7.26%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.92%

EQLT

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: -1.35%
• 6M: 14.71%
• YTD: 22.86%
• 1Y: 44.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 29.13%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	$77.09K	$55.23K	$122.39K
XSHQ Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF	$7.28M	$3.86M	$2.26M

XSHQ vs. EQLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XSHQ Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF	14.76%	0.89%	4.91%
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	22.86%	33.93%	-1.29%

Correlation

The correlation between XSHQ and EQLT is 0.53, 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.	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2024	0.48

The correlation between XSHQ and EQLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

XSHQ vs. EQLT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XSHQ	EQLT
Financial Services	24.7%	19.5%
Technology	22.6%	34.8%
Industrials	20.5%	11.4%
Consumer Cyclical	14.4%	8.2%
Healthcare	5.8%	3.3%
Energy	4.1%	3.5%
Communication Services	2.9%	5.2%
Basic Materials	2.6%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	3.5%
Real Estate	1.0%	0.9%
Utilities	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

XSHQ vs. EQLT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XSHQ

XSHQ Risk / Return Rank: 45
XSHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
XSHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
XSHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 40
XSHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
XSHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 44

EQLT

EQLT Risk / Return Rank: 81
EQLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
EQLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
EQLT Omega Ratio Rank: 79
EQLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
EQLT Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XSHQ vs. EQLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (XSHQ) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT). 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.

	XSHQ	EQLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	1.85	-0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	2.44	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.33	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	3.61	-1.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.91	10.91	-6.00

XSHQ vs. EQLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSHQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the EQLT Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSHQ and EQLT, 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

XSHQ vs. EQLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSHQ drawdown since its inception was -38.33%, which is greater than EQLT's maximum drawdown of -17.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSHQ and EQLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSHQ	EQLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.33%	-17.38%	-20.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.27%	-12.00%	+1.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.34%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-8.36%	+7.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.19%	-3.81%	-5.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	3.96%	-0.23%

Volatility

XSHQ vs. EQLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (XSHQ) is 4.23%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF (EQLT) has a volatility of 5.98%. This indicates that XSHQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EQLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSHQ	EQLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.23%	5.98%	-1.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.69%	21.15%	-9.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.30%	23.39%	-6.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.06%	21.25%	-0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.00%	21.25%	+1.75%

XSHQ vs. EQLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSHQ has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than EQLT's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

XSHQ vs. EQLT - Dividend Comparison

XSHQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, less than EQLT's 2.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EQLT iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF	2.85%	3.10%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XSHQ Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF	1.18%	1.48%	1.18%	1.15%	2.02%	1.25%	1.24%	1.11%	1.16%	0.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSHQ and EQLT in my portfolio?

XSHQ and EQLT have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XSHQ or EQLT?

EQLT has higher volatility (5.98%) compared to XSHQ (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSHQ dropped -38.33% vs EQLT's -17.38%.

Which ETF is better, XSHQ or EQLT?

On 1-year performance, EQLT leads with 44.38% vs 20.29% for XSHQ. On fees, XSHQ is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, XSHQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XSHQ or EQLT?

Over the 1-year period, EQLT has performed better with a 44.38% return vs 20.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSHQ or EQLT?

XSHQ is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for EQLT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XSHQ or EQLT?

EQLT has the higher dividend yield at 2.85%, compared with 1.18% for XSHQ.

What is the main difference between XSHQ and EQLT?

XSHQ tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Quality Index, while EQLT tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for XSHQ and 0.35% for EQLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.06), 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.