QUAL ETF — iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL)

Updated October 2, 2026.

QUAL is a low-cost ETF that tracks the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. its distribution rate is 0.84%, its trailing-12-month yield is 0.84%, its expense ratio is 0.15%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 93/100 (Safe). Total return is 445.5% over the past 13.2 years, 24.3 points behind SPY at 469.8%.

At the current 0.84% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $84 per year, or about $21.00 per quarter if the next payment matches the last regular one.

This ETF tracks the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, holding at least 80% of its assets in large-cap U.S. stocks selected for quality characteristics while maintaining sector balance relative to the broad market. The fund distributes quarterly income at a modest current rate and carries a low expense ratio of 0.15%. It appeals to investors seeking broad U.S. equity exposure with a quality tilt and regular income distributions.

QUAL performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-02.

Total return is 445.5% over the past 13.2 years, 24.3 points behind SPY at 469.8%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 15.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 9.0%.

QUAL key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

93 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.78%

Issuer

iShares

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

07/16/2013

Expense ratio

0.15%

Distribution rate

0.84%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

0.84%

Last close

$224.48 (as of 2026-10-02)

AUM

$48,171,088,666

Market cap

$24,987,113,472

Average volume

1037200.0

Last dividend

$0.47267

Last ex-dividend date

09/15/2026

Last payment date

09/18/2026 (as of 2026-09-18)

Beta

0.91

P/E ratio

26.8796

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.84%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (0.84%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: iShares or company page; Index: MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

QUAL risks and drawbacks

QUAL's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 9.0%.

Who may consider QUAL — and who may not

QUAL may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (QUAL pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Frequently asked questions

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