QDEF vs. ^SP500TR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) is Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while ^SP500TR (S&P 500 Total Return) is an index. Over the past 10 years, QDEF returned 12.39%/yr vs 15.68%/yr for ^SP500TR. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

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.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QDEF achieves a 9.33% return, which is significantly lower than ^SP500TR's 11.72% return. Over the past 10 years, QDEF has underperformed ^SP500TR with an annualized return of 12.39%, while ^SP500TR has yielded a comparatively higher 15.68% annualized return.

QDEF

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 3.66%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 6M: 9.70%
• 1Y: 24.69%
• 3Y*: 19.79%
• 5Y*: 12.90%
• 10Y*: 12.39%

^SP500TR

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.76%
• 3Y*: 22.77%
• 5Y*: 14.29%
• 10Y*: 15.68%

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

QDEF vs. ^SP500TR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	9.33%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	24.90%	-4.10%	17.04%
^SP500TR S&P 500 Total Return	11.72%	17.88%	25.02%	26.29%	-18.11%	28.71%	18.40%	31.49%	-4.38%	21.83%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEF and ^SP500TR is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2012	0.91

The correlation between QDEF and ^SP500TR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

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: 78
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 79
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 79

^SP500TR

^SP500TR Risk / Return Rank: 84
^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
^SP500TR Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
^SP500TR Omega Ratio Rank: 83
^SP500TR Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
^SP500TR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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	2.58	2.52	+0.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	3.43	+0.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.46	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	3.41	+0.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.68	15.97	-0.28
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 2.58, which is comparable to the ^SP500TR Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEF and ^SP500TR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QDEF	^SP500TR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.58	2.52	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	0.85	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.87	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.65	+0.20

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	-6.95%	-8.89%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.43%	-18.75%	+4.32%
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-8.17%	+4.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	1.90%	-0.30%

Volatility

QDEF vs. ^SP500TR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) is 2.41%, while S&P 500 Total Return (^SP500TR) has a volatility of 2.83%. 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	2.41%	2.83%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.17%	8.98%	-1.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.61%	11.86%	-2.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.78%	16.90%	-3.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.17%	18.07%	-1.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDEF and ^SP500TR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, QDEF and ^SP500TR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QDEF or ^SP500TR?

^SP500TR has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to QDEF (2.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEF dropped -35.74% vs ^SP500TR's -55.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 2.52), 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.