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QDEF vs. GQI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QDEF vs. GQI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) and GQI (Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. QDEF is passively managed, while GQI is actively managed. Over the past year, QDEF returned 20.97% vs 22.33% for GQI. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QDEF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for GQI.

Performance

QDEF vs. GQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF (GQI). 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 10.48% return, which is significantly higher than GQI's 9.82% 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%

GQI

1D
0.91%
1M
1.51%
6M
7.93%
YTD
9.82%
1Y
22.33%
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
16.45%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

GQI

Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF
$866.96K$1.04M$2.05M

QDEF

FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund
$546.87K$522.47K$732.31K

QDEF vs. GQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023
QDEF
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund		10.48%17.43%21.19%2.07%
GQI
Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF		9.82%15.36%15.99%1.60%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEF and GQI is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.81

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2023

0.83

The correlation between QDEF and GQI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

QDEF vs. GQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QDEF
GQI

Technology

35.6%
37.9%

Financial Services

11.7%
9.9%

Healthcare

10.5%
10.9%

Consumer Defensive

7.3%
6.1%

Consumer Cyclical

7.3%
11.0%

Communication Services

5.8%
10.3%

Industrials

5.5%
8.3%

Energy

4.2%
3.9%

Real Estate

3.9%
0.4%

Utilities

3.6%
0.6%

Basic Materials

3.5%
0.7%

Technology

QDEF
35.6%
GQI
37.9%

Financial Services

QDEF
11.7%
GQI
9.9%

Healthcare

QDEF
10.5%
GQI
10.9%

Consumer Defensive

QDEF
7.3%
GQI
6.1%

Consumer Cyclical

QDEF
7.3%
GQI
11.0%

Communication Services

QDEF
5.8%
GQI
10.3%

Industrials

QDEF
5.5%
GQI
8.3%

Energy

QDEF
4.2%
GQI
3.9%

Real Estate

QDEF
3.9%
GQI
0.4%

Utilities

QDEF
3.6%
GQI
0.6%

Basic Materials

QDEF
3.5%
GQI
0.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF

Often compared with QDEF:
QDEF vs. QDFQDEF vs. SCHDQDEF vs. DGRWQDEF vs. ^SP500TRQDEF vs. QDIVQDEF vs. SCHBQDEF vs. COWZ
Often compared with GQI:
GQI vs. FTHIGQI vs. FFRHXGQI vs. GPIQGQI vs. SCHDGQI vs. IVVGQI vs. VNSEGQI vs. LSGR

Return for Risk

QDEF vs. GQI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
QDEF
QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 8787
Sortino Ratio Rank
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 8787
Omega Ratio Rank
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 8181
Calmar Ratio Rank
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 8686
Martin Ratio Rank
GQI
GQI Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
GQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 8787
Sortino Ratio Rank
GQI Omega Ratio Rank: 8686
Omega Ratio Rank
GQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 8181
Calmar Ratio Rank
GQI Martin Ratio Rank: 9191
Martin Ratio Rank
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. GQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF (GQI). 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.

QDEFGQIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.07
2.07

0.00

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.94
2.92

+0.02

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.38

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.93

2.98

-0.05

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.20

15.46

-3.27

QDEF vs. GQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEF Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the GQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEF and GQI, 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. GQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than GQI's maximum drawdown of -16.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEF and GQI.

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Drawdown Indicators

QDEFGQIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-35.74%

-16.56%

-19.18%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.95%

-6.96%

+0.01%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.43%

—

—

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%

-0.12%

-0.46%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.27%

-1.62%

-1.65%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.67%

1.34%

+0.33%

Volatility

QDEF vs. GQI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) is 2.29%, while Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF (GQI) has a volatility of 2.49%. This indicates that QDEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QDEFGQIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.29%

2.49%

-0.20%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.47%

7.65%

-0.18%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

9.85%

9.99%

-0.14%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.77%

13.01%

+0.76%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.14%

13.01%

+3.13%

QDEF vs. GQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than GQI's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDEF vs. GQI - Dividend Comparison

QDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, less than GQI's 8.53% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
GQI
Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF		7.83%8.97%7.77%0.31%0.00%0.00%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

QDEF and GQI have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

GQI has higher volatility (2.49%) compared to QDEF (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEF dropped -35.74% vs GQI's -16.56%.

On 1-year performance, GQI leads with 22.33% vs 20.97% for QDEF. On fees, GQI is cheaper at 0.34% 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.

Over the 1-year period, GQI has performed better with a 22.33% return vs 20.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

GQI is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDEF.

GQI has the higher dividend yield at 7.83%, compared with 1.58% for QDEF.

They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and Natixis. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDEF and 0.34% for GQI.

GQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 2.07), 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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