QLTAvsLQDETF Comparison
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iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) belongs to the US Corporate IG Bonds segment. iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) is part of the Intl IG Bonds segment. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Finance, Technology and Healthcare. QLTA is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.15%, versus 0.14% for LQD. QLTA is down -1.71% year-to-date (YTD) with -$466M in YTD flows. LQD performs worse with -2.59% YTD performance, and +$2.09B in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of QLTA and LQD below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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QLTA vs LQD performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 10/23/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | QLTA LQD | +0.60%+0.29% | -0.68%-1.10% | -1.71%-2.59% | -2.16%-3.39% | +17.58%+19.46% | -2.05%-4.09% |
| Flows | QLTA LQD | +$27M+$2.49B | -$40M-$3.52B | -$466M+$2.09B | -$415M+$178M | +$246M+$1.68B | +$290M-$189M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | QLTA LQD | +5.11%+6.29% | +4.46%+5.43% | +5.38%+6.69% | +6.66%+8.18% |
| Max drawdown | QLTA LQD | -3.34%-3.94% | -4.95%-6.00% | -5.16%-6.22% | -21.03%-24.70% |
| Max drawdown duration | QLTA LQD | 59d59d | 236d236d | 284d318d | 1809d1809d |
Trading data
QLTA | LQD | |
Last sale 10/23/2026 at 1:30 PM | $45.71 | $103.85 |
| Previous close 10/22/2026 | $45.85 | $104.28 |
| Consolidated volume 10/22/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of September 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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QLTA | LQD | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 10/23/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
QLTA | LQD | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $45.71 | $103.85 |
| 1D performance | -0.31% | -0.41% |
| AuM | $1.19 B | $30.17 B |
| E/R | 0.15% | 0.14% |
Characteristics
QLTA | LQD | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa-A Capped Index | Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade Index |
| N° of holdings | 3452 | 3089 |
| Asset class | Bonds | Bonds |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | February 14, 2012 | July 22, 2002 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
QLTA
USA
82.13%
Other
17.87%
LQD
USA
85.26%
Other
14.74%
Sectors
QLTA
Finance
42.12%
Technology
11.26%
Healthcare
10.27%
Utilities
7.67%
Other
28.67%
LQD
Finance
32.42%
Technology
13.63%
Healthcare
10.13%
Energy
7.98%
Telecommunication.
7.88%
Other
27.97%
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Diversification
QLTA
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
2.7%
LQD
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
3.21%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of August 31, 2026
QLTA
BlackRock Cash Funds - Treasury
0.44%
Broadcom Inc, 3.137% 15nov2035, USD
0.21%
Meta Platforms, 4.875% 15nov2035, USD
0.21%
Anheuser-Busch, 4.9% 1feb2046, USD
0.20%
Broadcom Inc, 4.9% 15jul2032, USD
0.19%
Amazon.com, 4.875% 13mar2036, USD
0.16%
Meta Platforms, 6.3% 15may2056, USD
0.16%
Pfizer, 5.3% 19may2053, USD
0.15%
Meta Platforms, 5.625% 15nov2055, USD
0.15%
Amazon.com, 5.8% 13mar2056, USD
0.15%
Anheuser-Busch, 4.7% 1feb2036, USD
0.15%
AbbVie, 3.2% 21nov2029, USD
0.14%
NVIDIA, 4.95% 15jun2036, USD
0.14%
Wells Fargo, 5.013% 4apr2051, USD (U)
0.13%
Pfizer, 4.75% 19may2033, USD
0.13%
LQD
BlackRock Cash Funds - Treasury
1.04%
Anheuser-Busch, 4.9% 1feb2046, USD
0.18%
CVS Health, 5.05% 25mar2048, USD
0.18%
Space Exploration Technologies, 5.35% 15jul2031, USD
0.17%
T-Mobile USA, 3.875% 15apr2030, USD
0.17%
Meta Platforms, 4.875% 15nov2035, USD
0.16%
US161175CU68
0.15%
US161175CV42
0.15%
Amazon.com, 4.875% 13mar2036, USD
0.15%
Goldman Sachs, 6.75% 1oct2037, USD
0.14%
Meta Platforms, 5.25% 15may2036, USD
0.14%
Space Exploration Technologies, 5.65% 15jul2033, USD
0.14%
Pfizer, 5.3% 19may2053, USD
0.14%
Meta Platforms, 6.3% 15may2056, USD
0.14%
Amazon.com, 4.8% 9jul2031, USD
0.14%
Frequently asked questions about QLTA and LQD
How have the QLTA and LQD ETFs performed in 2026?
As of October 23, 2026, QLTA is down -1.71% year-to-date (YTD), while LQD has lost -2.59%. That puts QLTA better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: QLTA or LQD?
Year-to-date, the QLTA ETF saw -$466M in flows, compared to +$2.09B for LQD.
Which ETF is more volatile: QLTA or LQD?
Over the past year, QLTA had a volatility of 4.46%, while LQD experienced 5.43%.
Which ETF is bigger: QLTA or LQD?
As of October 23, 2026, QLTA holds $1.19 B in assets under management (AUM), while LQD manages $30.17 B.
What sectors do the QLTA and LQD ETFs invest in?
QLTA leans toward sectors like Finance, Technology and Healthcare. Meanwhile, LQD focuses on Finance, Technology and Healthcare.
What are the top holdings of the QLTA ETF and LQD ETF?
QLTA top holdings include BlackRock Cash Funds - Treasury, Broadcom Inc, 3.137% 15nov2035, USD and Meta Platforms, 4.875% 15nov2035, USD. LQD holds in its top three: BlackRock Cash Funds - Treasury, Anheuser-Busch, 4.9% 1feb2046, USD and CVS Health, 5.05% 25mar2048, USD.
Which ETF is more diversified: QLTA or LQD?
QLTA holds 3509 securities with 2.7% of its assets in the top 15. LQD has 3138 securities and a top 15 weight of 3.21%.
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Latest news about QLTA & LQD
The Weekly ETF Market Monitor (September 7-11, 2026)
September 14, 2026
LQD
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LQD
Renewed Interest in IG Corporate Bonds as Treasury Yields Fall
October 16, 2023
LQD
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What are corporate bond ETFs?
October 26, 2022
LQD
What are corporate bond ETFs?
October 26, 2022
LQD
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