AUEIX vs. QLEIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

AUEIX (AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund) and QLEIX (AQR Long-Short Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - AUEIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by AQR Funds, while QLEIX is a Long-Short fund managed by AQR Funds. Over the past 10 years, AUEIX returned 10.96%/yr vs 12.00%/yr for QLEIX. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AUEIX charges 0.37%/yr vs 1.30%/yr for QLEIX.

Performance

AUEIX vs. QLEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (AUEIX) and AQR Long-Short Equity Fund (QLEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AUEIX achieves a 6.40% return, which is significantly higher than QLEIX's 0.24% return. Over the past 10 years, AUEIX has underperformed QLEIX with an annualized return of 10.96%, while QLEIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.00% annualized return.

AUEIX

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 2.18%
• YTD: 6.40%
• 6M: 5.90%
• 1Y: 7.78%
• 3Y*: 11.64%
• 5Y*: 6.62%
• 10Y*: 10.96%

QLEIX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 3.21%
• YTD: 0.24%
• 6M: 4.03%
• 1Y: 16.06%
• 3Y*: 27.66%
• 5Y*: 21.80%
• 10Y*: 12.00%

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

AUEIX vs. QLEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AUEIX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund	6.40%	6.95%	13.85%	9.49%	-13.81%	23.52%	13.10%	28.63%	-0.27%	22.14%
QLEIX AQR Long-Short Equity Fund	0.24%	34.43%	30.50%	23.95%	19.18%	31.10%	-13.92%	1.19%	-16.33%	15.74%

Correlation

The correlation between AUEIX and QLEIX is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2014	0.49

The correlation between AUEIX and QLEIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (5 years) to 0.49 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AUEIX vs. QLEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AUEIX

AUEIX Risk / Return Rank: 13
AUEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
AUEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
AUEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
AUEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
AUEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

QLEIX

QLEIX Risk / Return Rank: 51
QLEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QLEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QLEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
QLEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
QLEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

AUEIX vs. QLEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (AUEIX) and AQR Long-Short Equity Fund (QLEIX). 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.

	AUEIX	QLEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	2.22	-1.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	3.26	-1.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.41	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	2.65	-1.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.27	8.34	-4.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AUEIX vs. QLEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AUEIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the QLEIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AUEIX and QLEIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AUEIX	QLEIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	2.22	-1.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	2.17	-1.66
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	1.14	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	1.12	-0.27

Drawdowns

AUEIX vs. QLEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AUEIX drawdown since its inception was -30.82%, smaller than the maximum QLEIX drawdown of -38.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AUEIX and QLEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AUEIX	QLEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.82%	-38.11%	+7.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.91%	-6.01%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.27%	-7.07%	-3.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.08%	-17.07%	-5.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.82%	-38.11%	+7.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-0.38%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.42%	-7.73%	+4.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.77%	1.91%	-0.14%

Volatility

AUEIX vs. QLEIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (AUEIX) is 2.00%, while AQR Long-Short Equity Fund (QLEIX) has a volatility of 2.19%. This indicates that AUEIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QLEIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AUEIX	QLEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.00%	2.19%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.58%	5.57%	+0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.93%	7.19%	+0.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.99%	10.09%	+2.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.19%	10.58%	+4.61%

AUEIX vs. QLEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AUEIX has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is lower than QLEIX's 1.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

AUEIX vs. QLEIX - Dividend Comparison

AUEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.33%, more than QLEIX's 1.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AUEIX AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund	21.33%	22.70%	24.31%	24.28%	10.26%	2.54%	1.29%	1.12%	1.67%	2.36%	1.99%	6.18%
QLEIX AQR Long-Short Equity Fund	1.75%	1.75%	7.12%	20.88%	14.15%	0.00%	1.57%	0.00%	6.03%	9.11%	3.01%	4.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AUEIX and QLEIX in my portfolio?

AUEIX and QLEIX have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AUEIX or QLEIX?

QLEIX has higher volatility (2.19%) compared to AUEIX (2.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AUEIX dropped -30.82% vs QLEIX's -38.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 0.95), 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.