QDEF vs. FEDM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) and FEDM (FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QDEF is a Quality Factor fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while FEDM is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QDEF returned 17.66%/yr vs 14.74%/yr for FEDM. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QDEF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for FEDM.

Performance

QDEF vs. FEDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (FEDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QDEF achieves a 10.48% return, which is significantly lower than FEDM's 11.05% return.

QDEF

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.68%
• 6M: 8.64%
• YTD: 10.48%
• 1Y: 20.97%
• 3Y*: 17.66%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 12.14%
• ALL TIME*: 12.72%

FEDM

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 2.87%
• 6M: 6.92%
• YTD: 11.05%
• 1Y: 23.27%
• 3Y*: 14.74%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.15%

*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)
FEDM FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund	$27.64K	$60.01K	$69.14K
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	$546.87K	$522.47K	$732.31K

QDEF vs. FEDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	10.48%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	10.65%
FEDM FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund	11.05%	26.85%	2.85%	17.39%	-15.25%	1.50%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEF and FEDM is 0.69, 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.	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2021	0.74

The correlation between QDEF and FEDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

QDEF vs. FEDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDEF	FEDM
Technology	35.6%	11.1%
Financial Services	11.7%	28.7%
Healthcare	10.5%	9.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.3%	6.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	5.4%
Communication Services	5.8%	3.3%
Industrials	5.5%	16.9%
Energy	4.2%	5.6%
Real Estate	3.9%	1.7%
Utilities	3.6%	3.2%
Basic Materials	3.5%	6.4%

Return for Risk

QDEF vs. FEDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 85
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 86

FEDM

FEDM Risk / Return Rank: 58
FEDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
FEDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
FEDM Omega Ratio Rank: 58
FEDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
FEDM Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

QDEF vs. FEDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (FEDM). 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.

	QDEF	FEDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	1.38	+0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	2.02	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.25	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	1.92	+1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.20	7.00	+5.20

QDEF vs. FEDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEF Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is higher than the FEDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEF and FEDM, 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

QDEF vs. FEDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than FEDM's maximum drawdown of -29.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEF and FEDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEF	FEDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-29.37%	-6.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.95%	-11.92%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.43%	-14.24%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.74%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-0.84%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.27%	-6.80%	+3.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.67%	3.26%	-1.59%

Volatility

QDEF vs. FEDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) is 2.29%, while FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (FEDM) has a volatility of 4.25%. This indicates that QDEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FEDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDEF	FEDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.29%	4.25%	-1.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.47%	13.24%	-5.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.85%	16.55%	-6.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.77%	16.42%	-2.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.14%	16.42%	-0.28%

QDEF vs. FEDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than FEDM's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDEF vs. FEDM - Dividend Comparison

QDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, less than FEDM's 2.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEDM FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund	2.87%	2.97%	2.94%	2.61%	2.53%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	1.58%	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 QDEF and FEDM in my portfolio?

QDEF and FEDM 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.

Which is riskier, QDEF or FEDM?

FEDM has higher volatility (4.25%) compared to QDEF (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEF dropped -35.74% vs FEDM's -29.37%.

Which ETF is better, QDEF or FEDM?

On 3-year performance, QDEF leads with 17.66% vs 14.74% for FEDM. On fees, FEDM is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, QDEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDEF or FEDM?

Over the 3-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 17.66% return vs 14.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDEF or FEDM?

FEDM is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDEF.

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

FEDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.87%, compared with 1.58% for QDEF.

What is the main difference between QDEF and FEDM?

QDEF is categorized as Quality Factor, while FEDM is Foreign Large Cap Equities. QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while FEDM tracks Northern Trust ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index - Benchmark TR Net. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDEF and 0.12% for FEDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.38), 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.