ESG vs. QLVD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) and QLVD (FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ESG is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while QLVD is a Quality Factor fund tracking the Northern Trust Developed Markets ex US Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESG returned 11.70%/yr vs 7.19%/yr for QLVD. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. Both charge a 0.32% expense ratio.

Performance

ESG vs. QLVD - 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 Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESG achieves a 11.91% return, which is significantly higher than QLVD's 9.60% return.

ESG

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.58%
• 6M: 9.98%
• YTD: 11.91%
• 1Y: 22.28%
• 3Y*: 17.88%
• 5Y*: 11.70%
• 10Y*: 14.84%
• ALL TIME*: 14.86%

QLVD

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 3.92%
• 6M: 7.11%
• YTD: 9.60%
• 1Y: 16.16%
• 3Y*: 13.56%
• 5Y*: 7.19%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.53%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	$141.70K	$104.98K	$155.55K
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	$72.57K	$53.92K	$58.06K

ESG vs. QLVD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	11.91%	16.04%	20.22%	27.86%	-19.89%	28.48%	20.75%	7.75%
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.60%	24.21%	4.67%	11.57%	-12.09%	9.04%	3.00%	6.26%

Correlation

The correlation between ESG and QLVD is 0.52, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019	0.68

The correlation between ESG and QLVD shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.68 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESG vs. QLVD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESG	QLVD
Technology	33.3%	6.7%
Financial Services	18.3%	23.5%
Healthcare	13.7%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	9.3%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	4.3%
Industrials	4.6%	14.7%
Energy	3.6%	5.4%
Basic Materials	3.1%	3.9%
Real Estate	2.9%	5.0%
Communication Services	0.8%	5.3%
Utilities	0.7%	7.3%

Return for Risk

ESG vs. QLVD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ESG

ESG Risk / Return Rank: 74
ESG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
ESG Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
ESG Omega Ratio Rank: 74
ESG Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
ESG Martin Ratio Rank: 77

QLVD

QLVD Risk / Return Rank: 65
QLVD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QLVD Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
QLVD Omega Ratio Rank: 71
QLVD Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QLVD Martin Ratio Rank: 48

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ESG vs. QLVD - 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 Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVD). 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	QLVD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.63	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	2.36	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.30	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	2.12	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.79	5.52	+4.27

ESG vs. QLVD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESG Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the QLVD Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESG and QLVD, 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. QLVD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESG drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, which is greater than QLVD's maximum drawdown of -28.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESG and QLVD.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESG	QLVD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-28.20%	-4.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.68%	-8.15%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.32%	-9.18%	-9.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-23.99%	-2.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-0.82%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.01%	-5.20%	+0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.09%	3.12%	-1.03%

Volatility

ESG vs. QLVD - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) has a higher volatility of 3.30% compared to FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVD) at 2.93%. This indicates that ESG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLVD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESG	QLVD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.30%	2.93%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.35%	8.77%	+0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.82%	10.60%	+1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.79%	11.77%	+5.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.33%	13.90%	+4.43%

ESG vs. QLVD - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ESG and QLVD have an expense ratio of 0.32%.

Dividends

ESG vs. QLVD - Dividend Comparison

ESG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than QLVD's 2.93% 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%
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	2.93%	2.87%	3.01%	3.33%	2.47%	3.06%	1.78%	1.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESG and QLVD in my portfolio?

ESG and QLVD have a correlation of 0.52, 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 QLVD?

ESG has higher volatility (3.30%) compared to QLVD (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESG dropped -32.53% vs QLVD's -28.20%.

Which ETF is better, ESG or QLVD?

On 5-year performance, ESG leads with 11.70% vs 7.19% for QLVD. Both ETFs have the same 0.32% expense ratio. On volatility, QLVD has been the lower-risk option at 2.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESG or QLVD?

Over the 5-year period, ESG has performed better with a 11.70% return vs 7.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESG or QLVD?

ESG and QLVD have the same expense ratio: 0.32% per year.

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

QLVD has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 0.87% for ESG.

What is the main difference between ESG and QLVD?

ESG is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while QLVD is Quality Factor. ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index, while QLVD tracks Northern Trust Developed Markets ex US Quality Low Volatility Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.63), 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.