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QDEF vs. DEW
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QDEF vs. DEW

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) and DEW (WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index while DEW tracks the WisdomTree Global High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QDEF returned 12.28%/yr vs 9.72%/yr for DEW. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QDEF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for DEW.

Performance

QDEF vs. DEW - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QDEF achieves a 6.76% return, which is significantly lower than DEW's 12.97% return. Over the past 10 years, QDEF has outperformed DEW with an annualized return of 12.28%, while DEW has yielded a comparatively lower 9.72% annualized return.

QDEF

1D
-0.48%
1M
-1.73%
YTD
6.76%
6M
5.91%
1Y
20.63%
3Y*
18.58%
5Y*
12.34%
10Y*
12.28%

DEW

1D
0.43%
1M
-0.07%
YTD
12.97%
6M
12.77%
1Y
25.61%
3Y*
19.27%
5Y*
11.57%
10Y*
9.72%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QDEF vs. DEW - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QDEF
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund		6.76%17.43%21.19%17.48%-10.94%26.04%3.15%24.90%-4.10%17.04%
DEW
WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund		12.97%22.39%11.58%9.39%-2.73%21.29%-7.32%20.45%-10.58%15.38%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEF and DEW is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.69

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.75

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.80

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.81

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2012

0.80

The correlation between QDEF and DEW shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.81 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QDEF vs. DEW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QDEF
DEW

Technology

35.4%
2.5%

Healthcare

11.2%
9.5%

Financial Services

10.9%
19.7%

Communication Services

7.3%
4.1%

Consumer Defensive

7.2%
8.9%

Consumer Cyclical

7.2%
3.1%

Industrials

6.4%
4.4%

Real Estate

5.3%
10.8%

Energy

3.5%
14.7%

Basic Materials

2.9%
2.8%

Utilities

2.8%
10.8%

Technology

QDEF
35.4%
DEW
2.5%

Healthcare

QDEF
11.2%
DEW
9.5%

Financial Services

QDEF
10.9%
DEW
19.7%

Communication Services

QDEF
7.3%
DEW
4.1%

Consumer Defensive

QDEF
7.2%
DEW
8.9%

Consumer Cyclical

QDEF
7.2%
DEW
3.1%

Industrials

QDEF
6.4%
DEW
4.4%

Real Estate

QDEF
5.3%
DEW
10.8%

Energy

QDEF
3.5%
DEW
14.7%

Basic Materials

QDEF
2.9%
DEW
2.8%

Utilities

QDEF
2.8%
DEW
10.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund

Often compared with QDEF:
QDEF vs. QDFQDEF vs. SCHDQDEF vs. DGRWQDEF vs. ^SP500TRQDEF vs. SCHBQDEF vs. USMVQDEF vs. COWZ
Often compared with DEW:
DEW vs. DTDDEW vs. IDVODEW vs. SPYDEW vs. ^GSPCDEW vs. SCHDDEW vs. NTSXDEW vs. NOBL

Return for Risk

QDEF vs. DEW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QDEF
QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
Martin Ratio Rank
DEW
DEW Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
DEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 8787
Sortino Ratio Rank
DEW Omega Ratio Rank: 8383
Omega Ratio Rank
DEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 8181
Calmar Ratio Rank
DEW Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
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. DEW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW). 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.

QDEFDEWDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.12
2.64

-0.52

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.00
3.68

-0.68

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.47

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.98

4.06

-1.08

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.62

15.88

-3.26

QDEF vs. DEW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEF Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the DEW Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEF and DEW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

QDEF vs. DEW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, smaller than the maximum DEW drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEF and DEW.

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Drawdown Indicators

QDEFDEWDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-35.74%

-65.55%

+29.81%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.95%

-6.34%

-0.61%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.43%

-11.80%

-2.63%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.37%

-18.86%

-2.51%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.74%

-38.77%

+3.03%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.35%

-1.12%

-1.23%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.29%

-12.41%

+9.12%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.64%

1.62%

+0.02%

Volatility

QDEF vs. DEW - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) has a higher volatility of 3.06% compared to WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW) at 2.77%. This indicates that QDEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DEW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QDEFDEWDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.06%

2.77%

+0.29%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.51%

7.35%

+0.16%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

9.83%

9.76%

+0.07%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.80%

12.98%

+0.82%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.16%

15.42%

+0.74%

QDEF vs. DEW - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is lower than DEW's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDEF vs. DEW - Dividend Comparison

QDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, less than DEW's 3.18% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DEW
WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund		3.18%3.71%4.02%4.55%3.82%3.55%4.10%3.74%4.17%3.18%3.42%4.32%
QDEF
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund		1.63%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

QDEF and DEW have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QDEF has higher volatility (3.06%) compared to DEW (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEF dropped -35.74% vs DEW's -65.55%.

On 10-year performance, QDEF leads with 12.28% vs 9.72% for DEW. On fees, QDEF is cheaper at 0.37% per year. On volatility, DEW has been the lower-risk option at 2.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 12.28% return vs 9.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QDEF is cheaper with a 0.37% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DEW.

DEW has the higher dividend yield at 3.18%, compared with 1.63% for QDEF.

QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while DEW tracks WisdomTree Global High Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDEF and 0.58% for DEW.

DEW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.12), 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.

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