βš”οΈ Head to head

QUAL vs WCMQ: Which ETF Is Better?

A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.

QUAL comes out ahead on 9 of 10 measures. Which matters most depends on you.

The short answer

πŸ’ΈLower feeQUAL wins
QUAL
0.40%
WCMQ
1.25%

Worth about $53,121 on $100,000 over 20 years.

🏦Bigger fundQUAL wins
QUAL
$9.2bn
WCMQ
$403m

Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.

πŸ“ˆ1-year returnQUAL wins
QUAL
+10.1%
WCMQ
+3.7%
πŸ“Š3-year returnWCMQ wins
QUAL
+16.1% a yr
WCMQ
+23.8% a yr
🏁5-year returnQUAL wins
QUAL
+11.4% a yr
WCMQ
+10.2% a yr
βš–οΈCheaper to tradeQUAL wins
QUAL
0.04%
WCMQ
0.29%

A tighter gap between the buy and sell price.

QUAL vs WCMQ side by side

QUAL leads on 9, WCMQ on 1QUALVanEck MSCI International Quality ETFWCMQWCM Quality Global Growth Fund – Active ETF
The basics
Index trackedMSCI World ex Australia Quality IndexSee the PDS
Fund managerVanEckWCM
Asset classInternational sharesInternational shares
ListedOct 2014Sep 2018
Cost and size
MERyearly fee, lower is better0.40%βœ“1.25%
AUMfund size$9.2bnβœ“$403m
Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month$195mβœ“$2.0m
Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better0.04%βœ“0.29%
Total returns
1 month+2.9%βœ“+2.6%
1 year+10.1%βœ“+3.7%
3 years p.a.+16.1%+23.8%βœ“
5 years p.a.+11.4%βœ“+10.2%
$10,000 invested
1 year ago$11,006βœ“$10,366
5 years ago$17,148βœ“$16,270

βœ“ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.

QUAL vs WCMQ price chart

Both ETFs on one chart as % change. Use the 1D to All buttons to change the period. Price only, so it leaves out distributions Β· TradingView

πŸ“ˆ Growth

What $10,000 invested is worth now

$10,000 put into QUAL 5 years ago is worth $17,148 today, against $16,270 in WCMQ. That is $878 more in QUAL.

QUALWCMQ$10,000 invested
$0k$6k$12k$18k$24k$11.0k$10.4k1 year agoQUAL +$640$15.7k$19.0k3 years agoWCMQ +$3,309$17.1k$16.3k5 years agoQUAL +$878

Total returns to 30 September 2026, with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage. The price chart above leaves out distributions, so it can look worse. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

πŸ’Έ Cost

What the fees cost you

QUAL's lower fee leaves about $53,121 more in your pocket over 20 years.

QUAL charges 0.40% a yearWCMQ charges 1.25% a year
🧾 Fees paid on $100,000Saving
5 years
QUAL
βˆ’$2,602
WCMQ
βˆ’$8,003
You keep$5,401more with QUAL
10 years
QUAL
βˆ’$7,231
WCMQ
βˆ’$21,810
You keep$14,578more with QUAL
20 years
QUAL
βˆ’$27,927
WCMQ
βˆ’$81,049
You keep$53,121more with QUAL

Total fees paid on a $100,000 investment, assuming a 7% a year return before fees. Illustration only: it ignores tax, brokerage and differences in returns.

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Joshua Stega
etfadviserExchange traded fund specialist adviser Β· 20 years’ experience
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FAQs

Which is better, QUAL or WCMQ?

It depends on what you need. On our numbers QUAL wins on 9 measures and WCMQ on 1. QUAL is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.40% vs 1.25%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $53,121. QUAL is the larger fund at $9.2bn vs $403m. QUAL has the better 1-year return: +10.1% vs +3.7%.

Which is cheaper, QUAL or WCMQ?

QUAL charges 0.40% a year and WCMQ charges 1.25% a year.

Can I hold both QUAL and WCMQ?

You can, but check how much they overlap. QUAL is a international shares fund and WCMQ is a international shares fund.

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General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.