AGRW vs. QLC

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AGRW (Allspring LT Large Growth ETF) and QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - AGRW is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Allspring, while QLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. AGRW is actively managed, while QLC is passively managed. Over the past year, AGRW returned 15.11% vs 29.38% for QLC. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AGRW charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QLC.

Performance

AGRW vs. QLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring LT Large Growth ETF (AGRW) and FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AGRW achieves a 2.53% return, which is significantly lower than QLC's 9.59% return.

AGRW

• 1D: -1.72%
• 1M: -3.72%
• YTD: 2.53%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 15.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QLC

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: -0.37%
• YTD: 9.59%
• 6M: 8.51%
• 1Y: 29.38%
• 3Y*: 23.96%
• 5Y*: 14.86%
• 10Y*: 14.85%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AGRW vs. QLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AGRW Allspring LT Large Growth ETF	2.53%	23.36%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	9.59%	25.73%

Correlation

The correlation between AGRW and QLC is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.88

The correlation between AGRW and QLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AGRW vs. QLC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AGRW

AGRW Risk / Return Rank: 25
AGRW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
AGRW Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
AGRW Omega Ratio Rank: 26
AGRW Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
AGRW Martin Ratio Rank: 24

QLC

QLC Risk / Return Rank: 75
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QLC Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AGRW vs. QLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring LT Large Growth ETF (AGRW) and FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AGRW	QLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	2.28	-1.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	3.13	-1.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.41	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.92	3.34	-2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.97	15.18	-12.21

AGRW vs. QLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGRW Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the QLC Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGRW and QLC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AGRW vs. QLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGRW drawdown since its inception was -16.46%, smaller than the maximum QLC drawdown of -35.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGRW and QLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGRW	QLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.46%	-35.86%	+19.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.46%	-8.84%	-7.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.49%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.81%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.97%	-2.34%	-5.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.38%	-4.52%	+1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.10%	1.94%	+3.16%

Volatility

AGRW vs. QLC - Volatility Comparison

Allspring LT Large Growth ETF (AGRW) has a higher volatility of 6.66% compared to FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) at 4.81%. This indicates that AGRW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AGRW	QLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.66%	4.81%	+1.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.33%	10.33%	+3.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.67%	12.98%	+3.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.11%	16.92%	+5.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.11%	18.46%	+3.65%

AGRW vs. QLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

AGRW has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than QLC's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

AGRW vs. QLC - Dividend Comparison

AGRW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, less than QLC's 0.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AGRW Allspring LT Large Growth ETF	0.12%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	0.95%	0.94%	1.03%	1.26%	1.46%	0.96%	1.40%	1.91%	1.82%	1.29%	1.80%	0.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGRW and QLC in my portfolio?

AGRW and QLC have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AGRW or QLC?

AGRW has higher volatility (6.66%) compared to QLC (4.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGRW dropped -16.46% vs QLC's -35.86%.

Which ETF is better, AGRW or QLC?

On 1-year performance, QLC leads with 29.38% vs 15.11% for AGRW. On fees, QLC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, QLC has been the lower-risk option at 4.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AGRW or QLC?

Over the 1-year period, QLC has performed better with a 29.38% return vs 15.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AGRW or QLC?

QLC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for AGRW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AGRW or QLC?

QLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.12% for AGRW.

What is the main difference between AGRW and QLC?

AGRW is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QLC is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Allspring and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for AGRW and 0.25% for QLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 0.91), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.