FLQL vs. LVHD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLQL (Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF) and LVHD (Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLQL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the LibertyQ U.S. Large Cap Equity Index, while LVHD is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLQL returned 14.70%/yr vs 6.06%/yr for LVHD. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLQL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for LVHD.

Performance

FLQL vs. LVHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF (FLQL) and Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLQL achieves a 12.66% return, which is significantly higher than LVHD's 6.72% return.

FLQL

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 5.00%
• YTD: 12.66%
• 6M: 12.54%
• 1Y: 29.48%
• 3Y*: 23.56%
• 5Y*: 14.70%
• 10Y*: —

LVHD

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -1.27%
• YTD: 6.72%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 9.60%
• 3Y*: 9.33%
• 5Y*: 6.06%
• 10Y*: 8.03%

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

FLQL vs. LVHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLQL Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF	12.66%	19.64%	24.33%	23.58%	-14.83%	26.58%	10.67%	29.09%	-2.79%	15.04%
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	6.72%	7.50%	10.18%	-0.95%	-1.82%	26.90%	-1.28%	22.91%	-5.58%	8.16%

Correlation

The correlation between FLQL and LVHD is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2017	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between FLQL and LVHD has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FLQL vs. LVHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLQL	LVHD
Technology	34.3%	5.9%
Communication Services	12.2%	3.8%
Consumer Cyclical	11.5%	6.8%
Healthcare	10.5%	4.6%
Industrials	10.0%	4.6%
Financial Services	9.9%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	18.5%
Real Estate	2.9%	15.0%
Basic Materials	1.7%	-
Utilities	1.6%	25.5%
Energy	1.0%	6.7%

Return for Risk

FLQL vs. LVHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLQL

FLQL Risk / Return Rank: 71
FLQL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
FLQL Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FLQL Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FLQL Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
FLQL Martin Ratio Rank: 79

LVHD

LVHD Risk / Return Rank: 28
LVHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
LVHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
LVHD Omega Ratio Rank: 25
LVHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
LVHD Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

FLQL vs. LVHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF (FLQL) and Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD). 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.

	FLQL	LVHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.01	+1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	1.51	+1.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.17	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	1.56	+1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.42	3.98	+11.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLQL vs. LVHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLQL Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the LVHD Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLQL and LVHD, 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

	FLQL	LVHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.01	+1.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.47	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.56	+0.30

Drawdowns

FLQL vs. LVHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLQL drawdown since its inception was -33.64%, smaller than the maximum LVHD drawdown of -37.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLQL and LVHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLQL	LVHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.64%	-37.32%	+3.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.05%	-6.17%	-2.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.32%	-14.29%	-5.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.41%	-16.75%	-4.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.32%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-4.84%	+4.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-4.05%	+0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	2.42%	-0.50%

Volatility

FLQL vs. LVHD - Volatility Comparison

Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF (FLQL) has a higher volatility of 3.19% compared to Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) at 2.86%. This indicates that FLQL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LVHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLQL	LVHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.19%	2.86%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.21%	6.64%	+3.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.85%	9.52%	+3.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	12.87%	+3.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.50%	15.50%	+2.00%

FLQL vs. LVHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLQL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than LVHD's 0.27% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FLQL vs. LVHD - Dividend Comparison

FLQL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than LVHD's 3.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FLQL Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF	1.01%	1.10%	1.13%	1.50%	2.07%	1.81%	1.99%	1.78%	1.82%	1.22%	0.00%
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	3.40%	3.35%	4.23%	3.55%	3.30%	2.56%	3.27%	3.30%	3.82%	3.33%	2.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLQL and LVHD in my portfolio?

FLQL and LVHD have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLQL or LVHD?

FLQL has higher volatility (3.19%) compared to LVHD (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLQL dropped -33.64% vs LVHD's -37.32%.

Which ETF is better, FLQL or LVHD?

On 5-year performance, FLQL leads with 14.70% vs 6.06% for LVHD. On fees, FLQL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, LVHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLQL or LVHD?

Over the 5-year period, FLQL has performed better with a 14.70% return vs 6.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLQL or LVHD?

FLQL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for LVHD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLQL or LVHD?

LVHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 1.01% for FLQL.

What is the main difference between FLQL and LVHD?

FLQL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while LVHD is Volatility Hedged Equity. FLQL tracks LibertyQ U.S. Large Cap Equity Index, while LVHD tracks QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for FLQL and 0.27% for LVHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLQL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.01), 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.