PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
FEIG vs. QDEF
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

FEIG vs. QDEF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund (FEIG) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF).

FEIG and QDEF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FEIG is a passively managed fund by FlexShares that tracks the performance of the Northern Trust ESG & Climate Investment Grade U.S. Corporate Core TR. It was launched on Sep 20, 2021. QDEF is a passively managed fund by FlexShares that tracks the performance of the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. It was launched on Dec 14, 2012. Both FEIG and QDEF are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

FEIG vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund (FEIG) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

FEIG vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
FEIG
FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund		-0.26%7.31%1.75%8.57%-15.91%-1.46%
QDEF
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund		-1.16%17.43%21.19%17.48%-10.94%10.74%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEIG achieves a -0.26% return, which is significantly higher than QDEF's -1.16% return.

FEIG

1D
0.63%
1M
-1.70%
YTD
-0.26%
6M
0.40%
1Y
4.83%
3Y*
4.39%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

QDEF

1D
2.06%
1M
-4.61%
YTD
-1.16%
6M
0.72%
1Y
16.27%
3Y*
16.97%
5Y*
11.45%
10Y*
11.40%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund

FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

Often compared with FEIG:
FEIG vs. GABFFEIG vs. RAVIFEIG vs. QDFFEIG vs. NFRAFEIG vs. FEUS
Often compared with QDEF:
QDEF vs. QDFQDEF vs. SCHDQDEF vs. DGRWQDEF vs. ^SP500TRQDEF vs. SCHBQDEF vs. FXAIXQDEF vs. MGV

FEIG vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEIG has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than QDEF's 0.37% expense ratio.

QDEF
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund
FEIG
FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund

Return for Risk

FEIG vs. QDEF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FEIG
FEIG Risk / Return Rank: 5050
Overall Rank
FEIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4747
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FEIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
FEIG Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
FEIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
FEIG Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
QDEF
QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6565
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FEIG vs. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund (FEIG) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). 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.

FEIGQDEFDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.90

1.11

-0.21

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.26

1.64

-0.38

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.17

1.25

-0.08

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.74

1.57

+0.17

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

5.18

7.90

-2.72

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FEIG vs. QDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEIG Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is comparable to the QDEF Sharpe Ratio of 1.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEIG and QDEF, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

FEIGQDEFDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.90

1.11

-0.21

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

0.83

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.71

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

-0.06

0.80

-0.86

Correlation

The correlation between FEIG and QDEF is 0.35, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

FEIG vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison

FEIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.80%, more than QDEF's 1.75% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FEIG
FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund		4.80%4.84%4.65%4.21%2.99%0.55%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
QDEF
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund		1.75%1.74%1.85%2.21%2.42%1.84%2.50%3.17%7.10%2.70%2.90%3.00%

Drawdowns

FEIG vs. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEIG drawdown since its inception was -22.26%, smaller than the maximum QDEF drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEIG and QDEF.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

FEIGQDEFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-22.26%

-35.74%

+13.48%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.88%

-11.03%

+8.15%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-21.37%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-35.74%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.28%

-5.04%

+2.76%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.81%

-3.33%

-6.48%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.97%

2.19%

-1.22%

Volatility

FEIG vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund (FEIG) is 2.22%, while FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) has a volatility of 3.96%. This indicates that FEIG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

FEIGQDEFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.22%

3.96%

-1.74%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.07%

7.58%

-4.51%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

5.36%

14.72%

-9.36%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

7.49%

13.83%

-6.34%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

7.49%

16.18%

-8.69%