GQRE vs. ESG
GQRE (FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund) and ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - GQRE is a REIT fund tracking the Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR), while ESG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GQRE returned 2.31%/yr vs 11.91%/yr for ESG. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GQRE charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ESG.
Performance
GQRE vs. ESG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GQRE having a 9.74% return and ESG slightly higher at 9.84%.
GQRE
- 1D
- 0.38%
- 1M
- 0.22%
- YTD
- 9.74%
- 6M
- 9.63%
- 1Y
- 11.61%
- 3Y*
- 12.08%
- 5Y*
- 2.31%
- 10Y*
- 4.14%
ESG
- 1D
- -0.30%
- 1M
- 0.46%
- YTD
- 9.84%
- 6M
- 8.58%
- 1Y
- 20.61%
- 3Y*
- 19.16%
- 5Y*
- 11.91%
- 10Y*
- —
GQRE vs. ESG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund | 9.74% | 8.27% | 6.09% | 9.21% | -27.22% | 32.01% | -9.17% | 21.84% | -8.88% | 13.60% |
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund | 9.84% | 16.04% | 20.22% | 27.86% | -19.89% | 28.48% | 20.75% | 31.74% | -5.17% | 22.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between GQRE and ESG is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2016 | 0.58 |
The correlation between GQRE and ESG shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (1 year) to 0.65 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GQRE vs. ESG — Risk / Return Rank
GQRE
ESG
GQRE vs. ESG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) and FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG). 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.
| GQRE | ESG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.81 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.32 | -0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.15 | 2.39 | -1.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.32 | 10.00 | -5.68 |
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Drawdowns
GQRE vs. ESG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GQRE drawdown since its inception was -41.87%, which is greater than ESG's maximum drawdown of -32.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQRE and ESG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GQRE | ESG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.87% | -32.53% | -9.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.15% | -8.68% | -1.47% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.17% | -18.32% | +2.15% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.08% | -26.04% | -9.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.87% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.27% | -2.55% | +1.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.20% | -5.05% | -4.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.70% | 2.07% | +0.63% |
Volatility
GQRE vs. ESG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) is 3.71%, while FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) has a volatility of 4.36%. This indicates that GQRE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GQRE | ESG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.71% | 4.36% | -0.65% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.20% | 9.24% | -0.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.84% | 11.56% | +0.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.46% | 16.81% | -0.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.64% | 18.35% | -0.71% |
GQRE vs. ESG - Expense Ratio Comparison
GQRE has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than ESG's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
GQRE vs. ESG - Dividend Comparison
GQRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%, more than ESG's 0.89% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund | 0.89% | 0.96% | 1.18% | 1.10% | 1.38% | 1.03% | 1.33% | 1.51% | 1.72% | 1.52% | 0.92% | 0.00% |
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund | 4.28% | 4.75% | 3.77% | 2.91% | 2.56% | 2.36% | 2.05% | 4.29% | 3.22% | 1.97% | 4.16% | 2.32% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GQRE and ESG have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ESG has higher volatility (4.36%) compared to GQRE (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQRE dropped -41.87% vs ESG's -32.53%.
On 5-year performance, ESG leads with 11.91% vs 2.31% for GQRE. On fees, ESG is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, GQRE has been the lower-risk option at 3.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ESG has performed better with a 11.91% return vs 2.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ESG is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GQRE.
GQRE has the higher dividend yield at 4.28%, compared with 0.89% for ESG.
GQRE is categorized as REIT, while ESG is Large Cap Growth Equities. GQRE tracks Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR), while ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GQRE and 0.32% for ESG.
ESG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 0.98), 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.
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