Is QHAL a good ETF?
QHAL is the VanEck MSCI International Quality (AUD Hedged) ETF from VanEck. It tracks the MSCI World ex Australia Quality Index (AUD Hedged). We classify it under Intl, Factor, and Quality. With about $2.52 billion in assets it is a large, highly liquid fund. Listed on the ASX since 2019-03-06 (over 7 years ago).
On a total-return basis, QHAL has delivered 9.31% a year over 5 years (ranked 65th of 188 ETFs we track), 15.49% a year over 3 years (ranked 55th of 226 ETFs we track), and 18.77% a year over 1 year (ranked 55th of 308 ETFs we track). Its strongest showing is over 1 year, where it sits in the top 18% of all ETFs we track.
The management fee of 0.43% is on the higher side. That's cheaper than the typical 0.49% for similar ETFs. If cost is your priority, HGBL (0.11%), VGAD (0.22%), and QLTY (0.35%) cover similar ground for less. It pays a moderate 3.44% yield.
Over the past 5 years its volatility has been elevated (annualised standard deviation around 15.57%), meaning noticeably larger swings than the broad market. Its 5-year Sharpe ratio of 0.45 is weak — that's the return it has earned per unit of risk taken (higher is better).
Portfolio turnover is low at about 15% a year — it trades only a small slice of its holdings each year, so trading costs and tax on realised gains stay modest — typical of a passive index strategy.
Strengths
- Top-18% returns over 1 year (55th of 308 ETFs we track).
Things to watch
- Cheaper alternatives exist: HGBL, VGAD, and QLTY.
- Weak risk-adjusted returns (5-year Sharpe ratio 0.45).
What QHAL's categories mean for you
How each category this ETF belongs to tends to behave across market cycles.
Global and international shares from outside Australia — broadening you into thousands of companies and the sectors (tech, healthcare) the local market lacks.
- Market regime
- Essential diversification away from the bank-and-resources-heavy ASX. Unhedged versions carry currency risk; hedged versions remove it at a small cost.
- In a portfolio
- A core holding for almost every long-term Australian portfolio.
Tilts toward academically-backed drivers of return — value, quality, momentum, size or low volatility — aiming to beat plain market-cap weighting over a full cycle.
- Market regime
- Any single factor can underperform the broad market for years before rewarding patient holders. Multi-factor funds smooth this out somewhat.
- In a portfolio
- A long-term tilt that demands discipline: the edge only shows up if you hold through the inevitable lean stretches.
Companies with strong balance sheets, stable earnings and high return on equity. A defensive-leaning factor that tends to compound steadily.
- Market regime
- Holds up comparatively well in downturns and uncertain markets; can lag during sharp 'junk rallies' off market bottoms when the riskiest stocks surge.
- In a portfolio
- A reliable long-term core or tilt for investors who prize resilience and steady compounding.
General information only, generated from the fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.