LOWV vs. QLV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

LOWV (AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - LOWV is a Low Volatility fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while QLV is a Quality Factor fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. LOWV is actively managed, while QLV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, LOWV returned 14.74%/yr vs 14.76%/yr for QLV. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. LOWV charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

LOWV vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) 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, LOWV achieves a 5.85% return, which is significantly lower than QLV's 9.01% return.

LOWV

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 2.67%
• 6M: 5.32%
• YTD: 5.85%
• 1Y: 11.55%
• 3Y*: 14.74%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.14%

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)
LOWV AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF	$248.27K	$453.80K	$603.81K
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	$433.57K	$400.63K	$648.84K

LOWV vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
LOWV AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF	5.85%	12.26%	20.43%	18.90%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.01%	12.28%	18.08%	13.78%

Correlation

The correlation between LOWV and QLV is 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2023	0.87

The correlation between LOWV and QLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

LOWV vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LOWV	QLV
Technology	35.6%	30.2%
Financial Services	14.3%	12.3%
Healthcare	11.6%	14.1%
Communication Services	8.7%	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	6.4%
Industrials	6.9%	6.3%
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	7.8%
Utilities	4.6%	6.4%
Energy	2.3%	6.5%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.3%

Return for Risk

LOWV vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

LOWV

LOWV Risk / Return Rank: 37
LOWV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
LOWV Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
LOWV Omega Ratio Rank: 35
LOWV Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
LOWV Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

LOWV vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) 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.

	LOWV	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	1.99	-1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.39	2.93	-1.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.36	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.07	2.53	-1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.25	10.43	-6.17

LOWV vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LOWV Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LOWV 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

LOWV vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LOWV drawdown since its inception was -13.87%, smaller than the maximum QLV drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LOWV and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	LOWV	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.87%	-33.71%	+19.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.59%	-6.19%	-3.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.87%	-12.05%	-1.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.43%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.49%	-3.93%	+2.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	1.50%	+0.91%

Volatility

LOWV vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) and FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) have volatilities of 2.56% and 2.64%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LOWV	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.56%	2.64%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.89%	5.96%	+1.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.58%	7.88%	+2.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.87%	12.63%	-0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.87%	16.43%	-4.56%

LOWV vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

LOWV has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

LOWV vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

LOWV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, less than QLV's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LOWV AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF	0.86%	0.85%	0.92%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 LOWV and QLV in my portfolio?

LOWV and QLV have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LOWV or QLV?

QLV has higher volatility (2.64%) compared to LOWV (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LOWV dropped -13.87% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, LOWV or QLV?

On 3-year performance, QLV leads with 14.76% vs 14.74% for LOWV. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LOWV or QLV?

Over the 3-year period, QLV has performed better with a 14.76% return vs 14.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LOWV or QLV?

QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for LOWV.

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

QLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.86% for LOWV.

What is the main difference between LOWV and QLV?

LOWV is categorized as Low Volatility, while QLV is Quality Factor. They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for LOWV and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 0.97), 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.