GQRE vs. QLV
GQRE (FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - GQRE is a REIT fund tracking the Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR), while QLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GQRE returned 2.37%/yr vs 9.76%/yr for QLV. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GQRE charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.
Performance
GQRE vs. QLV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GQRE achieves a 10.03% return, which is significantly higher than QLV's 3.44% return.
GQRE
- 1D
- 0.26%
- 1M
- -0.09%
- YTD
- 10.03%
- 6M
- 9.92%
- 1Y
- 13.69%
- 3Y*
- 11.64%
- 5Y*
- 2.37%
- 10Y*
- 4.25%
QLV
- 1D
- -0.65%
- 1M
- -2.32%
- YTD
- 3.44%
- 6M
- 2.44%
- 1Y
- 12.05%
- 3Y*
- 14.12%
- 5Y*
- 9.76%
- 10Y*
- —
GQRE vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund | 10.03% | 8.27% | 6.09% | 9.21% | -27.22% | 32.01% | -9.17% | 3.30% |
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund | 3.44% | 12.28% | 18.08% | 13.71% | -9.97% | 26.08% | 9.63% | 5.97% |
Correlation
The correlation between GQRE and QLV is 0.58, 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 | 0.58 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019 | 0.74 |
The correlation between GQRE and QLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GQRE vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank
GQRE
QLV
GQRE vs. QLV - 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 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.
| GQRE | QLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.65 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.28 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.35 | 1.95 | -0.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.09 | 8.05 | -2.96 |
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Drawdowns
GQRE vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GQRE drawdown since its inception was -41.87%, which is greater than QLV's maximum drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQRE and QLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GQRE | QLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.87% | -33.71% | -8.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.15% | -6.19% | -3.96% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.17% | -12.05% | -4.12% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.08% | -17.93% | -17.15% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.87% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.01% | -2.73% | +1.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.20% | -3.98% | -5.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.69% | 1.50% | +1.19% |
Volatility
GQRE vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison
FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) has a higher volatility of 3.68% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 2.03%. This indicates that GQRE'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.
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Volatility by Period
| GQRE | QLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.68% | 2.03% | +1.65% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.19% | 5.55% | +3.64% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.84% | 7.62% | +4.22% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.46% | 12.63% | +3.83% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.64% | 16.51% | +1.13% |
GQRE vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
GQRE has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio.
Dividends
GQRE vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison
GQRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.27%, more than QLV's 1.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund | 4.27% | 4.75% | 3.77% | 2.91% | 2.56% | 2.36% | 2.05% | 4.29% | 3.22% | 1.97% | 4.16% | 2.32% |
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund | 1.61% | 1.60% | 1.66% | 1.60% | 1.74% | 0.96% | 1.24% | 0.58% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GQRE and QLV have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GQRE has higher volatility (3.68%) compared to QLV (2.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQRE dropped -41.87% vs QLV's -33.71%.
On 5-year performance, QLV leads with 9.76% vs 2.37% for GQRE. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, QLV has performed better with a 9.76% return vs 2.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GQRE.
GQRE has the higher dividend yield at 4.27%, compared with 1.61% for QLV.
GQRE is categorized as REIT, while QLV is Volatility Hedged Equity. GQRE tracks Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR), while QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GQRE and 0.22% for QLV.
QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.17), 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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