QLTY vs XLSI
GMO US Quality ETF vs State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, QLTY or XLSI?
QLTY has been ahead.
XLSI has a lower expense ratio. QLTY led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | QLTY | XLSI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.35%Best |
| AUM | $5.4B | $21M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.66% | 12.75% |
| Holdings | 90 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +14.13%Best | +9.37% |
| 1Y Return | +20.95%Best | +9.26% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.84% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 11.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -11.7% | -7.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,822Best | $10,871 |
| Fund Family | GMO | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 13, 2023 | Jul 29, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
QLTY vs XLSI 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
QLTY vs XLSI Performance
GMO US Quality ETF (QLTY) is an ETF from GMO and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year QLTY returned +20.95% while XLSI returned +9.26%. Year to date, QLTY is up 14.13% versus a gain of 9.37% for XLSI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QLTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 11.4% for XLSI. 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 -11.7% for QLTY and -7.9% for XLSI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.39. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLTY charges 0.50% per year while XLSI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $35 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLTY currently yields 0.66% against 12.75% for XLSI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 45 holdings in QLTY and 2 in XLSI, totalling 99.7% and 100.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in QLTY and 2 in XLSI, against full books of 90 and 6.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QLTY and XLSI 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, QLTY or XLSI?
QLTY has an expense ratio of 0.50% while XLSI charges 0.35%. XLSI is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLTY or XLSI?
Over the past year QLTY returned +20.95% vs +9.26% for XLSI, so QLTY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), QLTY annualized +23.02% vs +7.21% for XLSI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLTY or XLSI?
QLTY has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 11.4% for XLSI. Worst drawdown: QLTY -11.7% vs XLSI -7.9%.
Should I hold both QLTY and XLSI?
QLTY and XLSI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.39, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLTY or XLSI?
QLTY yields 0.66% while XLSI yields 12.75%, so XLSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLSI better than QLTY?
XLSI has a lower expense ratio. QLTY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.