AQLT ETF: What Is It? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF (AQLT) tracks the MSCI ACWI Quality Index and holds high-quality stocks worldwide. Global diversification, dividends, and the difference in exposure from the U.S.-focused QUAL are the key selection criteria.
SubscribeWhat Is the iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF?
This global factor ETF tracks the MSCI ACWI Quality Index and consists of large- and mid-cap quality stocks from developed and emerging markets. It selects stocks using three financial metrics: high ROE, stable earnings growth, and low debt.
It suits long-term investors who want to diversify across high-quality companies worldwide rather than concentrating in a single country.
It is a passive (index-tracking) ETF managed by iShares (BlackRock).
How Does the iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | MSCI ACWI Quality Index |
| Management Style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Semiannual |
| Dividend Frequency | Semiannual |
| Issuer | iShares (BlackRock) |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.20% |
From the constituents of its parent index, MSCI ACWI, the fund selects high-quality companies with high return on equity, low earnings volatility, and low financial leverage. It diversifies globally, covering everything from U.S. big tech to developed and emerging market quality stocks abroad, and automatically updates its holdings and weights on a regular basis according to the index methodology.
- Diversifies across quality stocks worldwide in a single product rather than a single country
- Rule-based stock selection grounded in financial soundness metrics
iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Expense Ratio)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $336.8M, and the total expense ratio is 0.20% per year.
The structural difference from U.S.-only quality ETFs such as QUAL and SPHQ is the inclusion of overseas exposure, and the detailed composition depends on the global scope of the tracked index.
iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeBecause it is a diversified portfolio centered on quality stocks, it tends to follow the broader market, and its short-term performance is influenced by global equities, exchange rates, and big tech earnings seasons. Returns over specific periods show volatility depending on the market environment.
The quality factor tends to attract defensive demand during volatile periods, and core-asset demand from investors seeking global diversification underpins fund flows. During risk-off periods, preference for quality stocks can also stand out.
iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF Pros and Cons
Its strengths are diversification across quality stocks worldwide and rule-based selection, while currency exposure and big tech weighting are points to check in advance.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
IQLT, shown in the table, is a quality ETF from the same issuer that focuses on quality stocks in overseas developed markets. IHDG and IQDG focus on international quality dividend growth, and IDHQ focuses on developed market quality stocks. These are similar-category products that differ in expense ratio and strategy scope. To narrow the scope to U.S. quality stocks, products such as QUAL and SPHQ are direct substitutes, and to gain exposure to the entire global market without quality screening, ACWI, which is close to the parent index, can also be considered.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 IQLT | iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF | $50.27 | -0.5% | $13.8B | 0.30% | 2.38% | +13.0% |
 IHDG | WisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth Fund | $51.83 | -0.4% | $2.1B | 0.58% | 1.79% | +10.1% |
 IDHQ | Invesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF | $44.06 | -0.3% | $1.2B | 0.29% | 1.93% | +27.5% |
 IQDF | Northern Trust International Quality Dividend ETF | $33.56 | -0.3% | $1.1B | 0.47% | 3.54% | +15.5% |
 IQDG | WisdomTree International Quality Dividend Growth Fund | $42.15 | -0.6% | $687.0M | 0.42% | 2.4% | +5.9% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSM | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ADR | 0.17% | $404.80 | +1.6% | $2.10T | 26.1 | 1.03% |
| MSFT | Microsoft Corp | 0.06% | $520.99 | +2.7% | $3.87T | 27.2 | 0.74% |
| AAPL | Apple Inc | 0.10% | $331.90 | -1.9% | $4.84T | 37.0 | 0.35% |
| META | Meta Platforms Inc | 0.10% | $621.03 | +2.4% | $1.59T | 21.2 | 0.3% |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp | 0.10% | $206.69 | +2.3% | $4.98T | 26.1 | 0.38% |
iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in AQLT. It is a core product that diversifies across quality stocks worldwide, but it is best to check currency exposure, long-term cost burden, and the concentration of U.S. big tech among top holdings before buying.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the cumulative cost impact over long holding periods | Annual fee applies |
| 🌐 Global Diversification | Check the scope of developed and emerging market exposure | Broad diversification |
| 📊 Top Holding Concentration | Check the trend in U.S. big tech weighting | Large-cap weighting is high |
| 💱 Exchange Rate | Check the impact on returns converted to won | Not currency hedged |
Exchange rate movements and U.S. big tech concentration are the main drivers of short-term volatility. Even with a focus on quality stocks, short-term losses can occur during corrections in global equities.
It is a core option suited to long-term investors who want to diversify across quality stocks worldwide in a single product. To focus on U.S. quality stocks, it is advisable to compare products such as QUAL and SPHQ, and for exposure to the entire market, broad ETFs such as ACWI.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 18, 2026.
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