OUSA vs. QDEF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

OUSA (OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF) and QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - OUSA tracks the O'Shares US Quality Dividend Index while QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, OUSA returned 10.36%/yr vs 12.14%/yr for QDEF. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. OUSA charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDEF.

Performance

OUSA vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OUSA achieves a 6.53% return, which is significantly lower than QDEF's 10.48% return. Over the past 10 years, OUSA has underperformed QDEF with an annualized return of 10.36%, while QDEF has yielded a comparatively higher 12.14% annualized return.

OUSA

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.87%
• 6M: 4.63%
• YTD: 6.53%
• 1Y: 15.60%
• 3Y*: 12.64%
• 5Y*: 8.87%
• 10Y*: 10.36%
• ALL TIME*: 10.68%

QDEF

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.68%
• 6M: 8.64%
• YTD: 10.48%
• 1Y: 20.97%
• 3Y*: 17.66%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 12.14%
• ALL TIME*: 12.72%

*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)
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	$914.72K	$1.31M	$1.45M
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	$546.87K	$522.47K	$732.31K

OUSA vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	6.53%	10.23%	17.09%	13.44%	-9.33%	23.75%	6.96%	25.03%	-3.11%	18.81%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	10.48%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	24.90%	-4.10%	17.04%

Correlation

The correlation between OUSA and QDEF is 0.71, 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.	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2015	0.91

The correlation between OUSA and QDEF shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.91 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

OUSA vs. QDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OUSA	QDEF
Technology	23.7%	35.6%
Financial Services	18.6%	11.7%
Healthcare	15.1%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	13.1%	7.3%
Industrials	11.9%	5.5%
Communication Services	10.3%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	7.3%
Basic Materials	-	3.5%
Energy	-	4.2%
Real Estate	-	3.9%
Utilities	-	3.6%

Return for Risk

OUSA vs. QDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

OUSA

OUSA Risk / Return Rank: 59
OUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
OUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
OUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
OUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
OUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 53

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 85
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

OUSA vs. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). 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.

	OUSA	QDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	2.07	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	2.94	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.38	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	2.93	-1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.23	12.20	-5.97

OUSA vs. QDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is comparable to the QDEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OUSA and QDEF, 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

OUSA vs. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OUSA drawdown since its inception was -33.12%, smaller than the maximum QDEF drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OUSA and QDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	OUSA	QDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.12%	-35.74%	+2.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.36%	-6.95%	-1.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	-14.43%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.54%	-21.37%	+1.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.12%	-35.74%	+2.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.58%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.50%	-3.27%	-0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.39%	1.67%	+0.72%

Volatility

OUSA vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison

OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA) has a higher volatility of 4.00% compared to FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) at 2.29%. This indicates that OUSA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OUSA	QDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	2.29%	+1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.11%	7.47%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.27%	9.85%	+0.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.38%	13.77%	-0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.19%	16.14%	-0.95%

OUSA vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

OUSA has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than QDEF's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

OUSA vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison

OUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than QDEF's 1.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	1.36%	1.39%	1.50%	1.81%	1.92%	1.56%	2.03%	2.31%	3.06%	2.15%	2.32%	1.17%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	1.58%	1.74%	1.85%	2.21%	2.42%	1.84%	2.50%	3.17%	7.10%	2.70%	2.90%	3.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OUSA and QDEF in my portfolio?

OUSA and QDEF have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OUSA or QDEF?

OUSA has higher volatility (4.00%) compared to QDEF (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OUSA dropped -33.12% vs QDEF's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, OUSA or QDEF?

On 10-year performance, QDEF leads with 12.14% vs 10.36% for OUSA. On fees, QDEF is cheaper at 0.37% per year. On volatility, QDEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OUSA or QDEF?

Over the 10-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 12.14% return vs 10.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OUSA or QDEF?

QDEF is cheaper with a 0.37% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for OUSA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OUSA or QDEF?

QDEF has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 1.36% for OUSA.

What is the main difference between OUSA and QDEF?

OUSA tracks O'Shares US Quality Dividend Index, while QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. They also come from different issuers: O'Shares Investments and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for OUSA and 0.37% for QDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.46), 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.