FDLO vs. QLV

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FDLO (Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both Volatility Hedged Equity funds - FDLO tracks the Fidelity U.S. Low Volatility Factor Index while QLV tracks the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FDLO returned 10.20%/yr vs 10.83%/yr for QLV. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FDLO charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

FDLO vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO) 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, FDLO achieves a 5.38% return, which is significantly lower than QLV's 5.97% return.

FDLO

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 5.38%
• 6M: 4.87%
• 1Y: 15.69%
• 3Y*: 14.49%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: —

QLV

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 2.35%
• YTD: 5.97%
• 6M: 5.95%
• 1Y: 14.78%
• 3Y*: 15.41%
• 5Y*: 10.83%
• 10Y*: —

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

FDLO vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FDLO Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF	5.38%	11.77%	16.06%	16.38%	-10.38%	24.00%	12.19%	6.50%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	5.97%	12.28%	18.08%	13.71%	-9.97%	26.08%	9.63%	6.24%

Correlation

The correlation between FDLO and QLV is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019	0.95

The correlation between FDLO and QLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDLO vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDLO	QLV
Technology	33.1%	28.6%
Financial Services	12.5%	12.3%
Communication Services	10.8%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	6.8%
Healthcare	9.5%	12.7%
Industrials	9.1%	6.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	8.5%
Energy	3.4%	5.8%
Utilities	2.3%	6.5%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.7%
Basic Materials	1.7%	2.4%

Return for Risk

FDLO vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDLO

FDLO Risk / Return Rank: 52
FDLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
FDLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FDLO Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FDLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
FDLO Martin Ratio Rank: 56

QLV

QLV Risk / Return Rank: 56
QLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
QLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QLV Omega Ratio Rank: 56
QLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
QLV Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

FDLO vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO) 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.

	FDLO	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.94	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	2.81	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	2.40	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.62	10.19	-0.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDLO vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDLO Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDLO 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

	FDLO	QLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	1.94	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.86	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.69	+0.14

Drawdowns

FDLO vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDLO drawdown since its inception was -34.35%, roughly equal to the maximum QLV drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDLO and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDLO	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.35%	-33.71%	-0.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.13%	-6.19%	-0.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.68%	-12.05%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.23%	-17.93%	-1.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.36%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.38%	-4.00%	+0.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	1.45%	+0.18%

Volatility

FDLO vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO) has a higher volatility of 1.91% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 1.64%. This indicates that FDLO'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

	FDLO	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.91%	1.64%	+0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.42%	5.35%	+1.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.75%	7.66%	+1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.06%	12.64%	+0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.50%	16.56%	-1.06%

FDLO vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDLO has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDLO vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

FDLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than QLV's 1.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FDLO Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF	1.36%	1.37%	1.40%	1.35%	1.49%	1.11%	1.38%	1.55%	1.76%	1.61%	0.55%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	1.51%	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 FDLO and QLV in my portfolio?

FDLO and QLV have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDLO or QLV?

FDLO has higher volatility (1.91%) compared to QLV (1.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDLO dropped -34.35% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, FDLO or QLV?

On 5-year performance, QLV leads with 10.83% vs 10.20% for FDLO. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 1.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDLO or QLV?

Over the 5-year period, QLV has performed better with a 10.83% return vs 10.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDLO or QLV?

QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for FDLO.

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

QLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.51%, compared with 1.36% for FDLO.

What is the main difference between FDLO and QLV?

FDLO tracks Fidelity U.S. Low Volatility Factor Index, while QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for FDLO and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.80), 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.