FEDM vs. QDF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FEDM (FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund) and QDF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FEDM is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index - Benchmark TR Net, while QDF is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FEDM returned 13.99%/yr vs 19.21%/yr for QDF. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FEDM charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDF.

Performance

FEDM vs. QDF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (FEDM) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (QDF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEDM achieves a 6.03% return, which is significantly lower than QDF's 10.70% return.

FEDM

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: 3.29%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 6M: 8.22%
• 1Y: 16.39%
• 3Y*: 13.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QDF

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 4.60%
• YTD: 10.70%
• 6M: 10.82%
• 1Y: 27.64%
• 3Y*: 19.21%
• 5Y*: 11.90%
• 10Y*: 12.18%

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

FEDM vs. QDF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FEDM FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund	6.03%	26.85%	2.85%	17.39%	-15.25%	1.87%
QDF FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund	10.70%	16.58%	16.95%	19.71%	-12.13%	10.00%

Correlation

The correlation between FEDM and QDF is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2021	0.77

The correlation between FEDM and QDF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

FEDM vs. QDF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FEDM	QDF
Financial Services	27.1%	13.2%
Industrials	17.8%	8.9%
Technology	10.9%	38.3%
Healthcare	10.0%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.1%	5.5%
Basic Materials	5.9%	1.6%
Energy	5.7%	0.9%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	6.9%
Communication Services	4.6%	6.8%
Utilities	3.5%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.8%	5.4%

Return for Risk

FEDM vs. QDF — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEDM

FEDM Risk / Return Rank: 29
FEDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
FEDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
FEDM Omega Ratio Rank: 28
FEDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
FEDM Martin Ratio Rank: 33

QDF

QDF Risk / Return Rank: 73
QDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
QDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
QDF Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QDF Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

FEDM vs. QDF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (FEDM) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (QDF). 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.

	FEDM	QDF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	2.40	-1.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	3.36	-1.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.44	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	3.52	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.97	15.37	-10.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FEDM vs. QDF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEDM Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the QDF Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEDM and QDF, 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

	FEDM	QDF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	2.40	-1.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.78	-0.33

Drawdowns

FEDM vs. QDF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEDM drawdown since its inception was -29.37%, smaller than the maximum QDF drawdown of -36.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEDM and QDF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEDM	QDF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.37%	-36.67%	+7.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.92%	-7.90%	-4.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.24%	-18.01%	+3.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.06%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.01%	-0.56%	-1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.99%	-3.65%	-3.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.30%	1.80%	+1.50%

Volatility

FEDM vs. QDF - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (FEDM) has a higher volatility of 4.78% compared to FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (QDF) at 2.95%. This indicates that FEDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEDM	QDF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.78%	2.95%	+1.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.44%	8.76%	+3.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.14%	11.60%	+4.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.46%	15.60%	+0.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.46%	17.39%	-0.93%

FEDM vs. QDF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEDM has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than QDF's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEDM vs. QDF - Dividend Comparison

FEDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, more than QDF's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEDM FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund	2.82%	2.97%	2.94%	2.61%	2.53%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QDF FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund	1.50%	1.65%	1.93%	2.19%	2.45%	1.90%	2.38%	3.05%	4.29%	2.70%	3.07%	3.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEDM and QDF in my portfolio?

FEDM and QDF have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEDM or QDF?

FEDM has higher volatility (4.78%) compared to QDF (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEDM dropped -29.37% vs QDF's -36.67%.

Which ETF is better, FEDM or QDF?

On 3-year performance, QDF leads with 19.21% vs 13.99% for FEDM. On fees, FEDM is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, QDF has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEDM or QDF?

Over the 3-year period, QDF has performed better with a 19.21% return vs 13.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FEDM or QDF?

FEDM is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FEDM or QDF?

FEDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 1.50% for QDF.

What is the main difference between FEDM and QDF?

FEDM is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while QDF is Large Cap Value Equities. FEDM tracks Northern Trust ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index - Benchmark TR Net, while QDF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Index. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for FEDM and 0.37% for QDF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.02), 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.