BNDC vs. QLC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BNDC (FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund) and QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - BNDC is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Northern Trust, while QLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. BNDC is actively managed, while QLC is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BNDC returned -0.19%/yr vs 15.44%/yr for QLC. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BNDC charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QLC.

Performance

BNDC vs. QLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund (BNDC) 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, BNDC achieves a 0.07% return, which is significantly lower than QLC's 12.12% return.

BNDC

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 0.07%
• 6M: 0.16%
• 1Y: 4.25%
• 3Y*: 3.76%
• 5Y*: -0.19%
• 10Y*: —

QLC

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 5.15%
• YTD: 12.12%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: 33.91%
• 3Y*: 25.73%
• 5Y*: 15.44%
• 10Y*: 14.84%

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

BNDC vs. QLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BNDC FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund	0.07%	7.29%	0.86%	5.36%	-13.54%	-2.01%	8.66%	9.57%	-1.49%	3.97%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	12.12%	23.26%	26.71%	26.02%	-17.21%	28.46%	13.64%	24.51%	-8.12%	21.73%

Correlation

The correlation between BNDC and QLC is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 22, 2016	0.08

Over the past year, BNDC and QLC have become more correlated (0.28) than their long-term average of 0.07, meaning their price movements have been converging.

BNDC vs. QLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BNDC	QLC
Financial Services	100.0%	13.8%
Basic Materials	-	2.2%
Communication Services	-	13.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	7.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.2%
Energy	-	2.0%
Healthcare	-	10.1%
Industrials	-	6.6%
Real Estate	-	2.3%
Technology	-	34.8%
Utilities	-	3.4%

Return for Risk

BNDC vs. QLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

BNDC

BNDC Risk / Return Rank: 30
BNDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
BNDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
BNDC Omega Ratio Rank: 28
BNDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
BNDC Martin Ratio Rank: 30

QLC

QLC Risk / Return Rank: 83
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 82
QLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
QLC Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

BNDC vs. QLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund (BNDC) 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.

	BNDC	QLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	2.75	-1.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	3.79	-2.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.49	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	3.85	-2.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	18.03	-13.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BNDC vs. QLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BNDC Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is lower than the QLC Sharpe Ratio of 2.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BNDC 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BNDC	QLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.09	2.75	-1.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03	0.92	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.80	-0.59

Drawdowns

BNDC vs. QLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BNDC drawdown since its inception was -18.80%, smaller than the maximum QLC drawdown of -35.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDC and QLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	BNDC	QLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.80%	-35.86%	+17.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.87%	-8.84%	+5.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.30%	-18.49%	+12.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.60%	-23.81%	+5.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.34%	-0.09%	-3.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.35%	-4.54%	-2.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	1.89%	-0.92%

Volatility

BNDC vs. QLC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund (BNDC) is 1.23%, while FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) has a volatility of 2.89%. This indicates that BNDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BNDC	QLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	2.89%	-1.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.78%	9.52%	-6.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.99%	12.38%	-8.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.07%	16.82%	-10.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.05%	18.42%	-10.37%

BNDC vs. QLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

BNDC vs. QLC - Dividend Comparison

BNDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.15%, more than QLC's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BNDC FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund	4.15%	4.16%	3.81%	3.19%	2.64%	1.72%	2.61%	2.89%	2.86%	2.50%	0.64%	0.00%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	0.87%	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 BNDC and QLC in my portfolio?

BNDC and QLC have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BNDC or QLC?

QLC has higher volatility (2.89%) compared to BNDC (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDC dropped -18.80% vs QLC's -35.86%.

Which ETF is better, BNDC or QLC?

On 5-year performance, QLC leads with 15.44% vs -0.19% for BNDC. On fees, QLC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, BNDC has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BNDC or QLC?

Over the 5-year period, QLC has performed better with a 15.44% return vs -0.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BNDC or QLC?

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

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

BNDC has the higher dividend yield at 4.15%, compared with 0.87% for QLC.

What is the main difference between BNDC and QLC?

BNDC is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while QLC is Large Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BNDC and 0.25% for QLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 1.09), 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.