IBD vs. QLVE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IBD (Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF) and QLVE (FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - IBD is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Inspire Corporate Bond Impact Equal Weight Index, while QLVE is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IBD returned 1.36%/yr vs 7.88%/yr for QLVE. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBD charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for QLVE.

Performance

IBD vs. QLVE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF (IBD) and FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBD achieves a 0.01% return, which is significantly lower than QLVE's 19.60% return.

IBD

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.01%
• 6M: 0.72%
• 1Y: 4.63%
• 3Y*: 5.08%
• 5Y*: 1.36%
• 10Y*: —

QLVE

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 8.70%
• YTD: 19.60%
• 6M: 21.24%
• 1Y: 36.46%
• 3Y*: 18.97%
• 5Y*: 7.88%
• 10Y*: —

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

IBD vs. QLVE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IBD Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF	0.01%	7.70%	3.58%	6.00%	-8.94%	-1.89%	5.15%	2.25%
QLVE FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	19.60%	21.87%	10.17%	8.53%	-13.10%	0.90%	4.16%	4.98%

Correlation

The correlation between IBD and QLVE is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019	0.13

Return for Risk

IBD vs. QLVE — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBD

IBD Risk / Return Rank: 35
IBD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
IBD Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IBD Omega Ratio Rank: 28
IBD Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
IBD Martin Ratio Rank: 41

QLVE

QLVE Risk / Return Rank: 68
QLVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
QLVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
QLVE Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QLVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QLVE Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

IBD vs. QLVE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF (IBD) and FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE). 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.

	IBD	QLVE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	2.23	-1.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.68	3.16	-1.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.45	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	3.19	-1.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.71	12.84	-6.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBD vs. QLVE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBD Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is lower than the QLVE Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBD and QLVE, 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

	IBD	QLVE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.11	2.23	-1.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	0.59	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.49	-0.18

Drawdowns

IBD vs. QLVE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBD drawdown since its inception was -16.30%, smaller than the maximum QLVE drawdown of -29.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBD and QLVE.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBD	QLVE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.30%	-29.96%	+13.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.15%	-11.60%	+9.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.01%	-13.29%	+9.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.76%	-23.94%	+9.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.85%	0.00%	-0.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.36%	-8.30%	+4.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.69%	2.88%	-2.19%

Volatility

IBD vs. QLVE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF (IBD) is 1.01%, while FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) has a volatility of 6.61%. This indicates that IBD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QLVE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBD	QLVE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.01%	6.61%	-5.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.87%	14.75%	-11.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.21%	16.40%	-12.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.60%	13.47%	-7.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.71%	15.79%	-9.08%

IBD vs. QLVE - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBD has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than QLVE's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBD vs. QLVE - Dividend Comparison

IBD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, more than QLVE's 2.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IBD Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF	4.25%	4.17%	4.18%	3.39%	1.75%	1.36%	1.63%	2.47%	2.06%	0.82%
QLVE FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	2.39%	3.14%	3.11%	3.00%	2.48%	2.57%	1.66%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBD and QLVE in my portfolio?

IBD and QLVE have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBD or QLVE?

QLVE has higher volatility (6.61%) compared to IBD (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBD dropped -16.30% vs QLVE's -29.96%.

Which ETF is better, IBD or QLVE?

On 5-year performance, QLVE leads with 7.88% vs 1.36% for IBD. On fees, QLVE is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, IBD has been the lower-risk option at 1.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBD or QLVE?

Over the 5-year period, QLVE has performed better with a 7.88% return vs 1.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBD or QLVE?

QLVE is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for IBD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBD or QLVE?

IBD has the higher dividend yield at 4.25%, compared with 2.39% for QLVE.

What is the main difference between IBD and QLVE?

IBD is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while QLVE is Volatility Hedged Equity. IBD tracks Inspire Corporate Bond Impact Equal Weight Index, while QLVE tracks Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Inspire and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for IBD and 0.40% for QLVE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLVE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.11), 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.