Dividend comparison
FDMO vs QUAL: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Fidelity Momentum Factor ETF and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
FDMO vs QUAL: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. Both charge about 0.15% a year, so cost is not what separates them.
- Income. QUAL pays more income, yielding 0.84% over the last twelve months versus 0.63% for FDMO. That is about $20 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, FDMO returned 86.2% versus 71.5% for QUAL, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $18,623 in FDMO and $17,151 in QUAL.
- Risk. QUAL has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -28.2%, against -25.4% for FDMO.
- Diversification. FDMO holds 130 positions and QUAL holds 118. The ten largest positions make up 40.8% of FDMO and 45.1% of QUAL.
- Overlap. 37% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 26 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. FDMO grew its yearly payout 12.6% a year over the last 4 years, versus 1.6% for QUAL.
- Size. QUAL is the larger fund with $48.6 billion in assets, against $870 million for FDMO.
Bottom line: FDMO has the edge on these figures, with stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. QUAL does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | FDMO Fidelity Momentum Factor ETF | QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.63% | 0.84% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.59 | $1.89 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.1660 on Sep 22, 2026 | $0.4727 on Sep 18, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 12.6% over 4 yrs | 1.6% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $92.65 | $225.69 |
| Dividend growth streak | 2 years | 2 years |
| Beta | 1.06 | 0.90 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -25.4% | -28.2% |
| Market cap | $853.8M | $48.40B |
| Exchange | AMEX | CBOE |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Assets under management | $870.0M | $48.61B |
| Number of holdings | 130 | 118 |
| Top 10 concentration | 40.8% | 45.1% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
FDMO
$5.27/mo
$63 /yr at 0.63% yield
QUAL
$6.98/mo
$84 /yr at 0.84% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. FDMO pays quarterly; QUAL pays quarterly.
| Year | FDMO | QUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.5140 | $1.8588 |
| 2024 | $0.6360 | $1.9073 |
| 2023 | $0.4470 | $1.7090 |
| 2022 | $0.5080 | $1.8144 |
| 2021 | $0.3200 | $1.7441 |
Strategy: Factor and momentum
Rules-based funds that tilt toward a single trait linked to long-run returns, such as momentum, quality or low volatility. Momentum funds rebalance into recent winners, quality funds favor high profitability and strong balance sheets, and low-volatility funds pick the steadiest stocks. The same label can hide very different rules, so the index methodology matters more than the name.
Factor tilts go through long dry spells, and momentum funds can turn over quickly and get caught out when market leadership changes.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $18,623 in FDMO and $17,151 in QUAL.
| Period | FDMO | QUAL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -1.94% | 2.97% |
| 3 months | -0.33% | 4.25% |
| Year to date | 10.35% | 14.32% |
| 1 year | 11.51% | 16.43% |
| 3 years | 105.71% | 76.89% |
| 5 years | 86.23% | 71.51% |
- FDMO
- QUAL
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- FDMO
- QUAL
FDMO vs QUAL holdings overlap
37% overlap by weight, with 26 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | FDMO weight | QUAL weight |
|---|---|---|
| AAPLAPPLE INC | 8.41% | 7.22% |
| NVDANVIDIA CORP | 8.60% | 6.20% |
| GOOGLALPHABET INC CL A | 5.65% | 1.94% |
| METAMETA PLATFORMS INC CL A | 1.94% | 4.58% |
| LLYELI LILLY & CO | 1.90% | 3.87% |
| BRK-BBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC CL B | 1.83% | 1.88% |
| LRCXLAM RESEARCH CORP | 1.50% | 3.18% |
| VVISA INC CL A | 1.42% | 3.41% |
| AMATAPPLIED MATERIALS INC | 1.36% | 2.47% |
| JNJJOHNSON & JOHNSON | 1.35% | 2.00% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
FDMO130 holdings total
Quick verdict
FDMO has the edge on these figures, with stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. QUAL does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is FDMO or QUAL better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. FDMO currently yields 0.63% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while QUAL yields 0.84%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between FDMO and QUAL?
Fidelity Momentum Factor ETF (FDMO) is an ETF listed on AMEX. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an ETF listed on CBOE. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, FDMO or QUAL?
They cost about the same: FDMO charges 0.15% a year and QUAL charges 0.15%.
Which has performed better, FDMO or QUAL?
Over the last 5 years, FDMO has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: FDMO returned 86.2% and QUAL returned 71.5%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, FDMO or QUAL?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, QUAL has been riskier: FDMO fell as much as 25.4% and QUAL as much as 28.2%. Their betas are 1.06 and 0.90.
How much do FDMO and QUAL overlap?
About 37% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 26 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are AAPL, NVDA, GOOGL. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do FDMO and QUAL pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.1660 for FDMO and $0.4727 for QUAL.
How much income does $10,000 in FDMO vs QUAL generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in FDMO would generate roughly $5.27 per month ($63 annually). The same amount in QUAL would produce about $6.98 per month ($84 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both FDMO and QUAL?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare FDMO vs QUAL with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how FDMO and QUAL fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.