DPG vs. QDEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DPG (Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc) and QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) are both funds - DPG is a Utilities Equities fund managed by Duff & Phelps, while QDEF is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. Over the past 10 years, DPG returned 7.71%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for QDEF. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DPG charges 2.26%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDEF.

Performance

DPG vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc (DPG) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DPG achieves a 13.60% return, which is significantly higher than QDEF's 8.81% return. Over the past 10 years, DPG has underperformed QDEF with an annualized return of 7.71%, while QDEF has yielded a comparatively higher 12.34% annualized return.

DPG

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -4.85%
• YTD: 13.60%
• 6M: 12.54%
• 1Y: 22.19%
• 3Y*: 12.66%
• 5Y*: 7.61%
• 10Y*: 7.71%

QDEF

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 3.94%
• YTD: 8.81%
• 6M: 8.87%
• 1Y: 23.31%
• 3Y*: 19.60%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: 12.34%

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

DPG vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DPG Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc	13.60%	16.33%	38.22%	-25.07%	3.15%	30.37%	-8.91%	40.68%	-15.84%	9.12%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	8.81%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	24.90%	-4.10%	17.04%

Correlation

The correlation between DPG and QDEF is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2012	0.49

The correlation between DPG and QDEF shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (1 year) to 0.49 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DPG vs. QDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

DPG

DPG Risk / Return Rank: 49
DPG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
DPG Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
DPG Omega Ratio Rank: 35
DPG Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
DPG Martin Ratio Rank: 51

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 73
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

DPG vs. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc (DPG) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). 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.

	DPG	QDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	2.44	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.46	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.45	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.81	3.37	+0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.48	14.62	-4.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DPG vs. QDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DPG Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the QDEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DPG and QDEF, 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

	DPG	QDEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	2.44	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.92	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.77	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.84	-0.59

Drawdowns

DPG vs. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DPG drawdown since its inception was -64.61%, which is greater than QDEF's maximum drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DPG and QDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	DPG	QDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.61%	-35.74%	-28.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.85%	-6.95%	+1.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.48%	-14.43%	-21.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.11%	-21.37%	-19.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.61%	-35.74%	-28.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.67%	-0.47%	-5.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.40%	-3.29%	-7.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	1.60%	+0.53%

Volatility

DPG vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison

Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc (DPG) has a higher volatility of 4.06% compared to FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) at 2.31%. This indicates that DPG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DPG	QDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.06%	2.31%	+1.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.00%	7.16%	+2.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.27%	9.62%	+2.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.06%	13.78%	+7.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.01%	16.17%	+12.84%

DPG vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

DPG has a 2.26% expense ratio, which is higher than QDEF's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

DPG vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison

DPG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.96%, more than QDEF's 1.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DPG Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc	5.96%	6.61%	7.19%	12.21%	10.36%	9.70%	11.48%	9.21%	11.81%	9.02%	9.03%	9.50%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	1.59%	1.74%	1.85%	2.21%	2.42%	1.84%	2.50%	3.17%	7.10%	2.70%	2.90%	3.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DPG and QDEF in my portfolio?

DPG and QDEF have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DPG or QDEF?

DPG has higher volatility (4.06%) compared to QDEF (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DPG dropped -64.61% vs QDEF's -35.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.82), 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.