ESG vs. QLC

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) and QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ESG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while QLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ESG returned 14.93%/yr vs 14.59%/yr for QLC. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESG charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QLC.

Performance

ESG vs. QLC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ESG having a 11.73% return and QLC slightly higher at 12.09%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with ESG having a 14.93% annualized return and QLC not far behind at 14.59%.

ESG

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 1.34%
• 6M: 9.94%
• YTD: 11.73%
• 1Y: 20.77%
• 3Y*: 18.53%
• 5Y*: 11.82%
• 10Y*: 14.93%

QLC

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 1.73%
• 6M: 9.95%
• YTD: 12.09%
• 1Y: 27.82%
• 3Y*: 23.44%
• 5Y*: 14.71%
• 10Y*: 14.59%

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

ESG vs. QLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	11.73%	16.04%	20.22%	27.86%	-19.89%	28.48%	20.75%	31.74%	-5.17%	22.78%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	12.09%	23.26%	26.71%	26.02%	-17.21%	28.46%	13.64%	24.51%	-8.12%	21.73%

Correlation

The correlation between ESG and QLC is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2016	0.87

The correlation between ESG and QLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESG vs. QLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESG	QLC
Technology	37.4%	37.8%
Financial Services	17.1%	13.2%
Healthcare	11.3%	9.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	9.3%	3.0%
Industrials	4.9%	6.3%
Energy	3.2%	2.0%
Basic Materials	2.9%	2.0%
Real Estate	2.8%	2.1%
Communication Services	1.0%	13.0%
Utilities	0.1%	3.1%

Return for Risk

ESG vs. QLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESG

ESG Risk / Return Rank: 68
ESG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ESG Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ESG Omega Ratio Rank: 68
ESG Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ESG Martin Ratio Rank: 69

QLC

QLC Risk / Return Rank: 83
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 83
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.

ESG vs. QLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) 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.

	ESG	QLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.15	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.98	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.39	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	3.16	-0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.02	14.22	-4.20

ESG vs. QLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESG Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the QLC Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESG 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

ESG vs. QLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESG drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, smaller than the maximum QLC drawdown of -35.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESG and QLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESG	QLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-35.86%	+3.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.68%	-8.84%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.32%	-18.49%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-23.81%	-2.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.53%	-35.86%	+3.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.86%	-0.77%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.03%	-4.51%	-0.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	1.96%	+0.12%

Volatility

ESG vs. QLC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) is 3.25%, while FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) has a volatility of 3.87%. This indicates that ESG 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

	ESG	QLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.25%	3.87%	-0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.20%	10.34%	-1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.53%	13.00%	-1.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.80%	16.92%	-0.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.31%	18.39%	-0.08%

ESG vs. QLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESG has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than QLC's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESG vs. QLC - Dividend Comparison

ESG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than QLC's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	0.87%	0.96%	1.18%	1.10%	1.38%	1.03%	1.33%	1.51%	1.72%	1.52%	0.92%	0.00%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	0.93%	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 ESG and QLC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, ESG and QLC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ESG or QLC?

QLC has higher volatility (3.87%) compared to ESG (3.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESG dropped -32.53% vs QLC's -35.86%.

Which ETF is better, ESG or QLC?

On 10-year performance, ESG leads with 14.93% vs 14.59% for QLC. On fees, QLC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, ESG has been the lower-risk option at 3.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESG or QLC?

Over the 10-year period, ESG has performed better with a 14.93% return vs 14.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESG or QLC?

QLC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ESG.

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

QLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.93%, compared with 0.87% for ESG.

What is the main difference between ESG and QLC?

ESG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QLC is Large Cap Blend Equities. ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while QLC tracks Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ESG and 0.25% for QLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.81), 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.