PBJ vs. QLV

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PBJ (Invesco Dynamic Food & Beverage ETF) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - PBJ is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Dynamic Food & Beverage Intellidex Index, while QLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PBJ returned 3.52%/yr vs 10.03%/yr for QLV. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PBJ charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

PBJ vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Dynamic Food & Beverage ETF (PBJ) and FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PBJ having a 3.69% return and QLV slightly lower at 3.68%.

PBJ

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -4.46%
• YTD: 3.69%
• 6M: 2.53%
• 1Y: -0.53%
• 3Y*: 1.94%
• 5Y*: 3.52%
• 10Y*: 5.00%

QLV

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: -2.51%
• YTD: 3.68%
• 6M: 3.38%
• 1Y: 13.42%
• 3Y*: 14.18%
• 5Y*: 10.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

PBJ vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PBJ Invesco Dynamic Food & Beverage ETF	3.69%	-1.86%	2.49%	2.31%	3.14%	26.88%	5.53%	1.61%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	3.68%	12.28%	18.08%	13.71%	-9.97%	26.08%	9.63%	5.97%

Correlation

The correlation between PBJ and QLV is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019	0.66

Over the past year, the correlation between PBJ and QLV has dropped to 0.45 - well below their long-term average of 0.66, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

PBJ vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PBJ	QLV
Consumer Defensive	78.1%	8.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.0%	6.4%
Industrials	5.6%	6.1%
Basic Materials	5.1%	2.3%
Financial Services	0.2%	11.8%
Communication Services	-	8.2%
Energy	-	5.2%
Healthcare	-	13.0%
Real Estate	-	1.7%
Technology	-	31.1%
Utilities	-	6.1%

Return for Risk

PBJ vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBJ

PBJ Risk / Return Rank: 8
PBJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
PBJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
PBJ Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PBJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
PBJ Martin Ratio Rank: 8

QLV

QLV Risk / Return Rank: 51
QLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
QLV Omega Ratio Rank: 50
QLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
QLV Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

PBJ vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Dynamic Food & Beverage ETF (PBJ) 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.

	PBJ	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.04	1.76	-1.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.03	2.54	-2.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.31	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.04	2.18	-2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.10	9.10	-9.20

PBJ vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBJ Sharpe Ratio is -0.04, which is lower than the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBJ 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

PBJ vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBJ drawdown since its inception was -39.15%, which is greater than QLV's maximum drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBJ and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBJ	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.15%	-33.71%	-5.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.48%	-6.19%	-6.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.99%	-12.05%	-0.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.81%	-17.93%	+2.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.49%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.85%	-2.51%	-6.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.39%	-3.99%	-1.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.39%	1.48%	+3.91%

Volatility

PBJ vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

Invesco Dynamic Food & Beverage ETF (PBJ) has a higher volatility of 3.96% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 1.99%. This indicates that PBJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PBJ	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.96%	1.99%	+1.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.27%	5.52%	+3.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.67%	7.67%	+5.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.76%	12.64%	+1.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.13%	16.52%	-1.39%

PBJ vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBJ has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBJ vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

PBJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.93%, more than QLV's 1.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBJ Invesco Dynamic Food & Beverage ETF	1.32%	1.83%	1.11%	1.81%	1.82%	0.90%	1.12%	1.21%	1.41%	0.70%	1.56%	1.24%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	1.60%	1.60%	1.66%	1.60%	1.74%	0.96%	1.24%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBJ and QLV in my portfolio?

PBJ and QLV have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBJ or QLV?

PBJ has higher volatility (3.96%) compared to QLV (1.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBJ dropped -39.15% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, PBJ or QLV?

On 5-year performance, QLV leads with 10.03% vs 3.52% for PBJ. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 1.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PBJ or QLV?

Over the 5-year period, QLV has performed better with a 10.03% return vs 3.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBJ or QLV?

QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for PBJ.

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

PBJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.93%, compared with 1.60% for QLV.

What is the main difference between PBJ and QLV?

PBJ is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while QLV is Volatility Hedged Equity. PBJ tracks Dynamic Food & Beverage Intellidex Index, while QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for PBJ and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs -0.04), 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.