OUSM vs. QDEF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

OUSM (OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF) and QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - OUSM tracks the O'Shares US Small-Cap Quality Dividend Index while QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, OUSM returned 8.65%/yr vs 12.40%/yr for QDEF. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. OUSM charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDEF.

Performance

OUSM vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF (OUSM) 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, OUSM achieves a 13.55% return, which is significantly higher than QDEF's 10.91% return.

OUSM

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 3.02%
• 6M: 8.44%
• YTD: 13.55%
• 1Y: 17.33%
• 3Y*: 12.20%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.48%

QDEF

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 2.07%
• 6M: 8.51%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 1Y: 21.44%
• 3Y*: 18.49%
• 5Y*: 12.40%
• 10Y*: 12.03%
• ALL TIME*: 12.74%

*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)
OUSM OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF	$4.86M	$3.68M	$3.03M
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	$574.46K	$566.98K	$752.75K

OUSM vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OUSM OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF	13.55%	2.17%	13.45%	18.82%	-7.89%	21.45%	7.64%	28.04%	-10.60%	10.85%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	10.91%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	24.90%	-4.10%	17.04%

Correlation

The correlation between OUSM and QDEF is 0.68, 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.	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2016	0.84

The correlation between OUSM and QDEF shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

OUSM vs. QDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OUSM	QDEF
Industrials	24.2%	5.5%
Financial Services	21.7%	11.7%
Consumer Cyclical	21.0%	7.3%
Technology	11.4%	35.6%
Healthcare	8.0%	10.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	7.3%
Utilities	4.1%	3.6%
Communication Services	3.5%	5.8%
Basic Materials	1.5%	3.5%
Energy	0.3%	4.2%
Real Estate	-	3.9%

Return for Risk

OUSM vs. QDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

OUSM

OUSM Risk / Return Rank: 52
OUSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
OUSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
OUSM Omega Ratio Rank: 50
OUSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
OUSM Martin Ratio Rank: 47

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 86
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 88
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.

OUSM vs. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF (OUSM) 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.

	OUSM	QDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	2.19	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	3.10	-1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.41	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	3.10	-1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.58	12.91	-7.33

OUSM vs. QDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OUSM Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is lower than the QDEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OUSM 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

OUSM vs. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OUSM drawdown since its inception was -39.84%, which is greater than QDEF's maximum drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OUSM and QDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	OUSM	QDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.84%	-35.74%	-4.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.21%	-6.95%	-2.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-14.43%	-5.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.44%	-21.37%	+1.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.19%	-0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-3.27%	-1.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	1.66%	+1.45%

Volatility

OUSM vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison

OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF (OUSM) has a higher volatility of 4.17% compared to FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) at 2.23%. This indicates that OUSM'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

	OUSM	QDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.17%	2.23%	+1.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.36%	7.47%	+1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.13%	9.84%	+3.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.27%	13.77%	+2.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.85%	16.14%	+2.71%

OUSM vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

OUSM vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison

OUSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.91%, more than QDEF's 1.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OUSM OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF	1.91%	2.09%	1.62%	1.64%	1.98%	1.55%	2.02%	1.99%	2.63%	2.17%	0.00%	0.00%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	1.57%	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 OUSM and QDEF in my portfolio?

OUSM and QDEF have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OUSM or QDEF?

OUSM has higher volatility (4.17%) compared to QDEF (2.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OUSM dropped -39.84% vs QDEF's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, OUSM or QDEF?

On 5-year performance, QDEF leads with 12.40% vs 8.65% for OUSM. On fees, QDEF is cheaper at 0.37% per year. On volatility, QDEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OUSM or QDEF?

Over the 5-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 12.40% return vs 8.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OUSM or QDEF?

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

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

OUSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.91%, compared with 1.57% for QDEF.

What is the main difference between OUSM and QDEF?

OUSM tracks O'Shares US Small-Cap 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 OUSM and 0.37% for QDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.33), 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.