Macquarie Walter Scott Global Equity Active ETF (MQWS) Review & Analysis

MER · #501 of 514AUM · #395 of 5081Y Return · #313 of 426
What's new this monthData to 30 September 2026
  • +0.0% in September (total return), in line with the median international shares ETF at +0.0%.
  • Investors added a net $1.0m (4.0% of the fund).
  • The unit price closed the month at $8.08, 15% below its 12-month high (range $7.76 to $9.48).

About MQWS

MQWS is an international shares ETF from Macquarie, listed on the ASX since November 2023. With $25m under management it is number 199 of 254 international shares ETFs by size. The management fee is 1.28% a year, about $128 on every $10,000 invested, dearer than the typical international shares ETF at 0.55%.

Over the past year it returned −0.9%, against +10.4% for the median international shares ETF.

MQWS distributions and dividend dates

The latest distribution was $1.0251 per unit (0% franked), ex-distribution on 1 July 2026 and paid on 16 July 2026. To receive it you need to own MQWS before the ex-date.

From ASX announcements, updated nightly. See every ETF in the dividend calendar.

Compare MQWSCheck overlapMacquarie website ↗

Compare MQWS with

MQWSvsVGS
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF
Fee1.28%0.18%
1 year−0.9%+10.1%
5 yrs p.a.–+11.8%
Size$25m$18.7bn
Same holdingsNo holdings data
Full comparison →
MQWSvsIVV
iShares S&P 500 ETF
Fee1.28%0.04%
1 year−0.9%+10.1%
5 yrs p.a.–+13.4%
Size$25m$14.9bn
Same holdingsNo holdings data
Full comparison →
MQWSvsNDQ
Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF
Fee1.28%0.48%
1 year−0.9%+16.6%
5 yrs p.a.–+15.3%
Size$25m$9.5bn
Same holdingsNo holdings data
Full comparison →
MQWSvsQUAL
VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF
Fee1.28%0.40%
1 year−0.9%+10.1%
5 yrs p.a.–+11.4%
Size$25m$9.2bn
Same holdingsNo holdings data
Full comparison →

MQWS price by TradingView

Stock CodeMQWS
Fund ManagerMacquarie
Asset ClassInternational shares
AUM$25m
MER (%)1.28%
Net flows (Sep)+$1.0m
Last Price$8.08
52-Week Range$7.76 – $9.48
Bid/Ask Spread0.39%
Listing Date22/11/2023
ExchangeASX
Benchmark indexMSCI World ex Australia Index
Issuer websiteMacquarie ↗

Performance (% return)

-1%-1%-0%0%1M0.0%1Y-0.9%3Yn/a5Yn/a
1 month+0.0%
1 year−0.9%
3 years p.a.–
5 years p.a.–

$10,000 invested…

1 year ago$9,908

Value at 30 September 2026 with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage.

Total returns including distributions, to 30 September 2026. 1M, 1Y, 3Y and 5Y bars are cumulative.

MQWS at a glance: strengths and things to watch

👍 Strengths

  • Nothing stands out against its category.

⚠️ Things to watch

  • Higher fee. At 1.28% a year it costs more than 97% of international shares ETFs (median 0.55%), or about $73 a year more on every $10,000.
  • Small fund. With $25m under management, it is more at risk of being closed or merged than larger funds, and trading can be thinner.
  • Wider trading spread. 0.39% between the buy and sell price. Use a limit order.
  • Short track record. Listed in November 2023, so it hasn't been tested through a full market cycle.

Worked out from MQWS's fees, size, flows, returns and trend against the 257 international shares ETFs in Australia, to 30 September 2026. General information, not a recommendation.

Joshua StegaetfadviserTrend check
Base since 29 Sep 2026

MQWS is in a base. Here's why that matters.

MQWS's moving averages are tangled and the price is moving sideways. The trend hasn't picked a direction yet. Its price is 11.7% below its 12-month high.

Why it matters: Bases are where the next big move starts. A breakout can begin a new uptrend, while a breakdown can start a long fall. Buying a satellite before the breakout often means waiting months for nothing to happen.

At ETF Adviser the core of a portfolio stays invested through every stage, and satellite ETFs are only bought in an uptrend. Members get a weekly update on which ETFs are breaking out of a base and which trends have broken.

Get the weekly trend updates: try it free for 30 daysHow base and trend works →See every ETF's stage →Visit etfadviser.com.au →
Oct 25Jan 26Apr 26Jul 26Oct 26
UptrendBaseDowntrend

MQWS weekly price, past 12 months, shaded by trend stage. Stage as at 7 November 2026, updated weekly. A technical label, not a recommendation.

Investment Focus

Exposure Regions

Global

Themes & Sectors

Active ETFs

Similar ETFs

CodeNameSame holdingsMERAUM1Y3Y p.a.5Y p.a.
VGSVanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF–0.18%$18.7bn+10.1%+17.9%+11.8%
IVViShares S&P 500 ETF–0.04%$14.9bn+10.1%+19.2%+13.4%
NDQBetashares Nasdaq 100 ETF–0.48%$9.5bn+16.6%+23.8%+15.3%
QUALVanEck MSCI International Quality ETF–0.40%$9.2bn+10.1%+16.1%+11.4%
VGADVanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF Currency hedged–0.21%$7.9bn+17.1%+19.8%+10.8%
VTSVanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF–0.03%$7.3bn+9.8%+18.8%+12.4%

Same holdings is the share of MQWS's money in companies the other ETF also holds, weighted by size. No other ETF shares much with MQWS, so these are ETFs in the same category. See every ETF like MQWS →

MQWS vs its closest alternatives

What actually differs between MQWS and the ETFs most like it. Data to 30 Sep 2026.

VGS Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF

  • VGS is cheaper (0.18% vs 1.28%), worth about $69,966 on $100,000 over 20 years.
  • Over 1 year: MQWS −0.9%, VGS +10.1% (VGS ahead by 11.0 percentage points).
  • VGS is much larger ($18.7bn vs $25m), which usually means tighter trading spreads.
  • Different structure: MQWS is actively managed, VGS is a standard fund.

Compare MQWS and VGS side by side →

IVV iShares S&P 500 ETF

  • IVV is cheaper (0.04% vs 1.28%), worth about $79,897 on $100,000 over 20 years.
  • Over 1 year: MQWS −0.9%, IVV +10.1% (IVV ahead by 11.0 percentage points).
  • IVV is much larger ($14.9bn vs $25m), which usually means tighter trading spreads.
  • Different structure: MQWS is actively managed, IVV is a standard fund.

Compare MQWS and IVV side by side →

NDQ Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF

  • NDQ is cheaper (0.48% vs 1.28%), worth about $49,502 on $100,000 over 20 years.
  • Over 1 year: MQWS −0.9%, NDQ +16.6% (NDQ ahead by 17.5 percentage points).
  • NDQ is much larger ($9.5bn vs $25m), which usually means tighter trading spreads.
  • Different structure: MQWS is actively managed, NDQ is a standard fund.

Compare MQWS and NDQ side by side →

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

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MQWS FAQs

What is the fee for MQWS?

MQWS charges a management fee (MER) of 1.28% a year, according to the TMX Australia monthly funds report as at 30 September 2026.

How big is MQWS?

MQWS had $25m in funds under management as at 30 September 2026.

How has MQWS performed?

MQWS returned −0.9% over the year to 30 September 2026 (total return, including distributions). Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Who manages MQWS?

MQWS is managed by Macquarie and has been listed since November 2023.

Is MQWS franked?

Generally no. MQWS invests outside Australia, so its distributions carry little or no franking credits. Franking comes from Australian companies that have paid tax here.

Is MQWS currency hedged?

No, MQWS is unhedged. Its returns move with the Australian dollar: a falling dollar adds to returns and a rising dollar reduces them.

Disclaimer

This review is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the Macquarie product disclosure statement (PDS) and target market determination (TMD) before investing. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.