iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF

IQLT

Market cap $13.3B

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF provides extremely broad international exposure at a very low cost but sacrifices quality by including thousands of weaker companies. IXUS's wide breadth dilutes returns, as many international firms lag U.S. peers in both growth and profitability. In contrast, quality-screened ETFs like IQLT concentrate on high-ROE, low-leverage companies, resulting in stronger returns, faster recoveries from drawdowns, and better long-term compounding despite higher valuation multiples.

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF has a portfolio of 303 ex-U.S. stocks, weighted based on capitalization and a quality score. IQLT is well diversified across countries and holdings, with a focus on financials and industrials. IQLT looks overvalued compared to the benchmark, but has outperformed it and its close competitors since inception.

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IQLT offers exposure to about 300 quality developed market stocks, focusing on profitability, stable earnings growth, and strong balance sheets, with a 0.30% expense ratio. The fund outperformed the MSCI World ex USA Index but lagged behind the S&P 500 due to limited technology sector exposure. IQLT's growth tilt contributes to its strong performance, but currency risk remains a concern for investors.

The future looks bright. Daniel Sotiroff: As we enter the new year, I suspect a lot of you are reviewing your investments and your probably getting tired of what's happening, or should I say, what isn't happening with your foreign stock ETFs. I get it. Foreign stocks have, yet again, trailed the US market by a pretty healthy margin.

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) holds about 300 international stocks, weighted based on capitalization and a quality score. IQLT is well diversified across countries, sectors and holdings, with a tilt to large caps and financials. IQLT looks expensive based on valuation ratios, but it has outperformed a benchmark and four popular factor-based ETFs in its stock universe.

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) offers exposure to international equities through a quality lens. The fund tracks the performance of the MSCI World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality Index and focuses on stocks with higher quality characteristics. IQLT provides diversification across various sectors and countries, making it an attractive option for investors seeking international exposure.