IQLT vs VTI
iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IQLT or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IQLT is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IQLT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $13.7B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.32% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 315 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +10.07% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.95% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.97% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.51% | +12.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Best | 15.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.2%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,043 | $18,286Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 13, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 15, 2015 to Oct 2, 2026 (11.7 years).
IQLT vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 11.7 years both funds cover.
IQLT vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IQLT returned +13.95% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, IQLT is up 10.07% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, IQLT compounded at +17.97% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.51% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.53% annualized vs +7.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 14.8% for IQLT. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -32.2% for IQLT and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQLT charges 0.30% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $3 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IQLT currently yields 2.32% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
2.1% of IQLT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings IQLT also owns.
IQLT and VTI share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 290 positions we hold weights for in IQLT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 315 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,149 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for IQLT (97.4% of the fund), and 5 for IQLT that do not appear in VTI (3.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IQLT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROPRoper Technologies Inc. | 2.12% | 0.05% | 2.07% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IQLT and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IQLT or VTI?
IQLT has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IQLT or VTI?
Over the past year IQLT returned +13.95% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), IQLT annualized +7.09% vs +12.53% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQLT or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 14.8% for IQLT. Worst drawdown: IQLT -32.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both IQLT and VTI?
IQLT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IQLT and VTI?
2.1% of IQLT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's is in holdings IQLT also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 290 positions we hold weights for in IQLT and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IQLT or VTI?
IQLT yields 2.32% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IQLT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IQLT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IQLT is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.