QDEF vs. FEIG
QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) and FEIG (FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QDEF is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while FEIG is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Northern Trust ESG & Climate Investment Grade U.S. Corporate Core TR. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QDEF returned 19.60%/yr vs 4.94%/yr for FEIG. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QDEF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for FEIG.
Performance
QDEF vs. FEIG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QDEF achieves a 8.81% return, which is significantly higher than FEIG's 0.48% return.
QDEF
- 1D
- -0.47%
- 1M
- 3.94%
- YTD
- 8.81%
- 6M
- 8.87%
- 1Y
- 23.31%
- 3Y*
- 19.60%
- 5Y*
- 12.64%
- 10Y*
- 12.34%
FEIG
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 0.74%
- YTD
- 0.48%
- 6M
- 0.30%
- 1Y
- 5.75%
- 3Y*
- 4.94%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QDEF vs. FEIG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund | 8.81% | 17.43% | 21.19% | 17.48% | -10.94% | 10.74% |
FEIG FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund | 0.48% | 7.31% | 1.75% | 8.57% | -15.91% | -1.46% |
Correlation
The correlation between QDEF and FEIG 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 | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2021 | 0.35 |
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Return for Risk
QDEF vs. FEIG — Risk / Return Rank
QDEF
FEIG
QDEF vs. FEIG - 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 Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund (FEIG). 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 | FEIG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.23 | +0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.37 | 2.05 | +1.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.62 | 6.26 | +8.36 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QDEF | FEIG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.44 | 1.31 | +1.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.92 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.77 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.84 | -0.04 | +0.88 |
Drawdowns
QDEF vs. FEIG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QDEF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than FEIG's maximum drawdown of -22.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEF and FEIG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QDEF | FEIG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.74% | -22.26% | -13.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.95% | -2.81% | -4.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.43% | -6.67% | -7.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.37% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.74% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.47% | -1.56% | +1.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.29% | -9.52% | +6.23% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.60% | 0.92% | +0.68% |
Volatility
QDEF vs. FEIG - Volatility Comparison
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) has a higher volatility of 2.31% compared to FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund (FEIG) at 1.48%. This indicates that QDEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QDEF | FEIG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.31% | 1.48% | +0.83% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.16% | 3.24% | +3.92% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.62% | 4.40% | +5.22% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.78% | 7.40% | +6.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.17% | 7.40% | +8.77% |
QDEF vs. FEIG - Expense Ratio Comparison
QDEF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than FEIG's 0.12% expense ratio.
Dividends
QDEF vs. FEIG - Dividend Comparison
QDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, less than FEIG's 4.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FEIG FlexShares ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core Index Fund | 4.75% | 4.84% | 4.65% | 4.21% | 2.99% | 0.55% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund | 1.59% | 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 FEIG 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.
QDEF has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to FEIG (1.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEF dropped -35.74% vs FEIG's -22.26%.
On 3-year performance, QDEF leads with 19.60% vs 4.94% for FEIG. On fees, FEIG is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, FEIG has been the lower-risk option at 1.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 19.60% return vs 4.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FEIG is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDEF.
FEIG has the higher dividend yield at 4.75%, compared with 1.59% for QDEF.
QDEF is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while FEIG is Corporate Bonds. QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while FEIG tracks Northern Trust ESG & Climate Investment Grade U.S. Corporate Core TR. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDEF and 0.12% for FEIG.
QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.31), 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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