LQD vs QLTA
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF compared with iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
LQD
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
QLTA
iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
Quick take
- LQD yields more today: 4.86% vs 4.68% (forward).
- Both pay every month.
- Over the last year QLTA delivered the higher total return: -1.0% vs -2.3% (price change plus payouts).
- LQD is cheaper to own: 0.14% vs 0.15% expense ratio.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | LQD | QLTA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $103.85 | $45.85 |
| TTM yield | 4.86% | 4.68% |
| Forward yield | 4.86% | 4.68% |
| Annual payout per share | $5.049 | $2.146 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 31, 2026 (est.) | Oct 31, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.14% | 0.15% |
| 1-year payout growth | — | — |
| 5-year payout CAGR | — | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | — | — |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 94/100 | 98/100 |
| 1-year total return | -2.3% | -1.0% |
| 1-year price return | -6.8% | -5.4% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 28.3B | 1.2B |
| Years paying | 24.1 | 14.6 |
| Sector / category | Corporate Bond | Corporate Bond |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| LQD | QLTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 96.3 | 218.1 |
| Income per year | $486 | $468 |
| Income per month (avg) | $41 | $39 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model LQD · Model QLTA
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LQD Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.4208 | Est. |
| LQD Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $0.4208 | Est. |
| LQD Dec 30, 2026 | Jan 13, 2027 | $0.4208 | Est. |
| QLTA Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.1788 | Est. |
| QLTA Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $0.1788 | Est. |
| QLTA Dec 30, 2026 | Jan 13, 2027 | $0.1788 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
LQDQLTA
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, LQD or QLTA?
LQD currently has the higher trailing yield: LQD yields 4.86% and QLTA yields 4.68%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do LQD and QLTA pay?
LQD pays every month and QLTA pays every month. LQD's next ex-date is Oct 31, 2026 and QLTA's is Oct 31, 2026.
Is LQD or QLTA better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. LQD and QLTA differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.