MFSG vs. QLC
MFSG (MFS Active Growth ETF) and QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - MFSG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by MFS, while QLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. MFSG is actively managed, while QLC is passively managed. Over the past year, MFSG returned 21.54% vs 33.09% for QLC. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MFSG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QLC.
Performance
MFSG vs. QLC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MFSG achieves a 7.55% return, which is significantly lower than QLC's 11.39% return.
MFSG
- 1D
- -0.94%
- 1M
- 4.46%
- YTD
- 7.55%
- 6M
- 7.63%
- 1Y
- 21.54%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QLC
- 1D
- -0.74%
- 1M
- 5.38%
- YTD
- 11.39%
- 6M
- 11.88%
- 1Y
- 33.09%
- 3Y*
- 25.39%
- 5Y*
- 15.29%
- 10Y*
- 14.83%
MFSG vs. QLC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
MFSG MFS Active Growth ETF | 7.55% | 14.51% | -2.74% |
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund | 11.39% | 23.26% | -2.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between MFSG and QLC is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2024 | 0.90 |
The correlation between MFSG and QLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
MFSG vs. QLC — Risk / Return Rank
MFSG
QLC
MFSG vs. QLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Active Growth ETF (MFSG) and FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC). 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.
| MFSG | QLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.82 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.48 | -0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.34 | 3.76 | -2.42 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.66 | 17.59 | -12.93 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MFSG | QLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.35 | 2.69 | -1.34 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.91 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.81 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.60 | 0.80 | -0.20 |
Drawdowns
MFSG vs. QLC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MFSG drawdown since its inception was -23.24%, smaller than the maximum QLC drawdown of -35.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFSG and QLC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MFSG | QLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -23.24% | -35.86% | +12.62% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.15% | -8.84% | -7.31% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -18.49% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -23.81% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.86% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.01% | -0.74% | -0.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.67% | -4.54% | -0.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.63% | 1.89% | +2.74% |
Volatility
MFSG vs. QLC - Volatility Comparison
MFS Active Growth ETF (MFSG) has a higher volatility of 3.71% compared to FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) at 2.94%. This indicates that MFSG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MFSG | QLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.71% | 2.94% | +0.77% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.41% | 9.51% | +2.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.00% | 12.38% | +3.62% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.69% | 16.82% | +4.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.69% | 18.42% | +3.27% |
MFSG vs. QLC - Expense Ratio Comparison
MFSG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than QLC's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
MFSG vs. QLC - Dividend Comparison
MFSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, less than QLC's 0.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MFSG MFS Active Growth ETF | 0.07% | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund | 0.88% | 0.94% | 1.03% | 1.26% | 1.46% | 0.96% | 1.40% | 1.91% | 1.82% | 1.29% | 1.80% | 0.64% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MFSG and QLC have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MFSG has higher volatility (3.71%) compared to QLC (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFSG dropped -23.24% vs QLC's -35.86%.
On 1-year performance, QLC leads with 33.09% vs 21.54% for MFSG. On fees, QLC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, QLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, QLC has performed better with a 33.09% return vs 21.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QLC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MFSG.
QLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.07% for MFSG.
MFSG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QLC is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: MFS and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MFSG and 0.25% for QLC.
QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 1.35), 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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