ESG vs. QLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ESG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while QLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESG returned 12.73%/yr vs 10.73%/yr for QLV. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESG charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

ESG vs. QLV - 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 Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESG achieves a 12.20% return, which is significantly higher than QLV's 5.48% return.

ESG

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 7.28%
• YTD: 12.20%
• 6M: 13.15%
• 1Y: 25.90%
• 3Y*: 20.72%
• 5Y*: 12.73%
• 10Y*: —

QLV

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 2.14%
• YTD: 5.48%
• 6M: 5.38%
• 1Y: 14.06%
• 3Y*: 15.15%
• 5Y*: 10.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESG vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	12.20%	16.04%	20.22%	27.86%	-19.89%	28.48%	20.75%	7.99%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	5.48%	12.28%	18.08%	13.71%	-9.97%	26.08%	9.63%	6.24%

Correlation

The correlation between ESG and QLV is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019	0.89

The correlation between ESG and QLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESG vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESG	QLV
Technology	36.7%	28.6%
Financial Services	16.9%	12.3%
Healthcare	11.2%	12.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	6.8%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	8.5%
Industrials	4.5%	6.3%
Energy	3.1%	5.8%
Basic Materials	3.0%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.7%	1.7%
Communication Services	1.0%	8.4%
Utilities	0.7%	6.5%

Return for Risk

ESG vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESG

ESG Risk / Return Rank: 67
ESG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ESG Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ESG Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ESG Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ESG Martin Ratio Rank: 70

QLV

QLV Risk / Return Rank: 53
QLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
QLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
QLV Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
QLV Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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. QLV - 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 Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV). 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.

	ESG	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.85	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	2.68	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.32	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	2.28	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.02	9.69	+3.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESG vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESG Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESG and QLV, 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

	ESG	QLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.85	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.85	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.69	+0.14

Drawdowns

ESG vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESG drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, roughly equal to the maximum QLV drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESG and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESG	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-33.71%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.68%	-6.19%	-2.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.32%	-12.05%	-6.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-17.93%	-8.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.81%	+0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.07%	-4.00%	-1.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	1.45%	+0.54%

Volatility

ESG vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) has a higher volatility of 2.94% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 1.61%. This indicates that ESG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESG	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	1.61%	+1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.46%	5.34%	+3.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.16%	7.65%	+3.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.73%	12.64%	+4.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.36%	16.57%	+1.79%

ESG vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESG has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESG vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

ESG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than QLV's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	1.52%	1.60%	1.66%	1.60%	1.74%	0.96%	1.24%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESG and QLV in my portfolio?

ESG and QLV have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESG or QLV?

ESG has higher volatility (2.94%) compared to QLV (1.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESG dropped -32.53% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, ESG or QLV?

On 5-year performance, ESG leads with 12.73% vs 10.73% for QLV. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 1.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESG or QLV?

Over the 5-year period, ESG has performed better with a 12.73% return vs 10.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESG or QLV?

QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ESG.

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

QLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.87% for ESG.

What is the main difference between ESG and QLV?

ESG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QLV is Volatility Hedged Equity. ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ESG and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.85), 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.