GARP vs. QLV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GARP (iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - GARP tracks the MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index while QLV tracks the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GARP returned 17.48%/yr vs 9.98%/yr for QLV. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. GARP charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

GARP vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) 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, GARP achieves a 16.89% return, which is significantly higher than QLV's 9.01% return.

GARP

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -1.22%
• 6M: 14.45%
• YTD: 16.89%
• 1Y: 31.75%
• 3Y*: 28.85%
• 5Y*: 17.48%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 20.07%

QLV

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 1.40%
• 6M: 6.81%
• YTD: 9.01%
• 1Y: 16.12%
• 3Y*: 14.76%
• 5Y*: 9.98%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.61%

*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)
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	$25.65M	$25.43M	$23.00M
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	$433.57K	$400.63K	$648.84K

GARP vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	16.89%	21.49%	37.42%	42.86%	-26.75%	27.99%	26.51%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.01%	12.28%	18.08%	13.71%	-9.97%	26.08%	7.43%

Correlation

The correlation between GARP and QLV is 0.43, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 16, 2020	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between GARP and QLV has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

GARP vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GARP	QLV
Technology	54.7%	30.2%
Communication Services	11.0%	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	6.4%
Financial Services	7.9%	12.3%
Industrials	6.4%	6.3%
Healthcare	5.4%	14.1%
Energy	3.0%	6.5%
Utilities	1.3%	6.4%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.3%
Real Estate	0.4%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.8%

Return for Risk

GARP vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

GARP

GARP Risk / Return Rank: 64
GARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
GARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
GARP Omega Ratio Rank: 60
GARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GARP Martin Ratio Rank: 66

QLV

QLV Risk / Return Rank: 82
QLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QLV Omega Ratio Rank: 84
QLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QLV Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

GARP vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) 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.

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.

	GARP	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.99	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	2.93	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.36	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	2.53	-0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.99	10.43	-2.43

GARP vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GARP Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GARP 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.

Drawdowns

GARP vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GARP drawdown since its inception was -31.34%, smaller than the maximum QLV drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GARP and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	GARP	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.34%	-33.71%	+2.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.69%	-6.19%	-7.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.73%	-12.05%	-11.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.61%	-17.93%	-12.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.34%	-0.43%	-3.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.27%	-3.93%	-3.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.75%	1.50%	+2.25%

Volatility

GARP vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) has a higher volatility of 5.68% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 2.64%. This indicates that GARP'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

	GARP	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.68%	2.64%	+3.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.18%	5.96%	+10.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.02%	7.88%	+12.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.34%	12.63%	+9.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.92%	16.43%	+7.49%

GARP vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

GARP has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than QLV's 0.22% 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

GARP vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

GARP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.27%, less than QLV's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	0.27%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%	0.00%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	1.52%	1.60%	1.66%	1.60%	1.74%	0.96%	1.24%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GARP and QLV in my portfolio?

GARP and QLV have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GARP or QLV?

GARP has higher volatility (5.68%) compared to QLV (2.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GARP dropped -31.34% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, GARP or QLV?

On 5-year performance, GARP leads with 17.48% vs 9.98% for QLV. On fees, GARP is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GARP or QLV?

Over the 5-year period, GARP has performed better with a 17.48% return vs 9.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GARP or QLV?

GARP is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for QLV.

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

QLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.27% for GARP.

What is the main difference between GARP and QLV?

GARP tracks MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index, while QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for GARP and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.50), 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.