QDEF vs. ^SP500TR

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR).

QDEF is a passively managed fund by FlexShares that tracks the performance of the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. It was launched on Dec 14, 2012.

Performance

QDEF vs. ^SP500TR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

QDEF vs. ^SP500TR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	-0.80%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	24.90%	-4.10%	17.04%
^SP500TR S&P 500 Total Return	-3.64%	17.88%	25.02%	26.29%	-18.11%	28.71%	18.40%	31.49%	-4.38%	21.83%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QDEF achieves a -0.80% return, which is significantly higher than ^SP500TR's -3.64% return. Over the past 10 years, QDEF has underperformed ^SP500TR with an annualized return of 11.44%, while ^SP500TR has yielded a comparatively higher 14.17% annualized return.

QDEF

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: -4.45%
• YTD: -0.80%
• 6M: 0.54%
• 1Y: 16.60%
• 3Y*: 17.11%
• 5Y*: 11.53%
• 10Y*: 11.44%

^SP500TR

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -4.34%
• YTD: -3.64%
• 6M: -1.43%
• 1Y: 18.20%
• 3Y*: 18.60%
• 5Y*: 11.96%
• 10Y*: 14.17%

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

Return for Risk

QDEF vs. ^SP500TR — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 64
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 69

^SP500TR

^SP500TR Risk / Return Rank: 72
^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
^SP500TR Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
^SP500TR Omega Ratio Rank: 74
^SP500TR Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
^SP500TR Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

QDEF vs. ^SP500TR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR). 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.

	QDEF	^SP500TR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	1.00	+0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.67	1.52	+0.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.23	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.51	1.54	-0.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.55	7.32	+0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QDEF vs. ^SP500TR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEF Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is comparable to the ^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEF and ^SP500TR, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QDEF	^SP500TR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.13	1.00	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.71	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.79	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.62	+0.18

Correlation

The correlation between QDEF and ^SP500TR is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Drawdowns

QDEF vs. ^SP500TR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, smaller than the maximum ^SP500TR drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEF and ^SP500TR.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEF	^SP500TR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-55.25%	+19.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.03%	-12.12%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.37%	-24.49%	+3.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.74%	-33.79%	-1.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.69%	-5.55%	+0.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.33%	-8.20%	+4.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	2.55%	-0.34%

Volatility

QDEF vs. ^SP500TR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) is 3.93%, while S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR) has a volatility of 5.38%. This indicates that QDEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ^SP500TR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDEF	^SP500TR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.93%	5.38%	-1.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.56%	9.55%	-1.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.70%	18.32%	-3.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.83%	16.90%	-3.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.18%	18.05%	-1.87%