QDEF vs. IDHQ
QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) and IDHQ (Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF) are both Quality Factor funds - QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index while IDHQ tracks the IDHQ-US - S&P Quality Developed Ex-U.S. LargeMidCap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QDEF returned 12.14%/yr vs 10.64%/yr for IDHQ. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QDEF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for IDHQ.
Performance
QDEF vs. IDHQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QDEF achieves a 10.48% return, which is significantly lower than IDHQ's 26.27% return. Over the past 10 years, QDEF has outperformed IDHQ with an annualized return of 12.14%, while IDHQ has yielded a comparatively lower 10.64% annualized 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%
IDHQ
- 1D
- -1.04%
- 1M
- -0.18%
- 6M
- 17.73%
- YTD
- 26.27%
- 1Y
- 41.32%
- 3Y*
- 19.52%
- 5Y*
- 9.70%
- 10Y*
- 10.64%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.32%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5.89M | $6.19M | $5.51M | |
| $546.87K | $522.47K | $732.31K |
QDEF vs. IDHQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund | 10.48% | 17.43% | 21.19% | 17.48% | -10.94% | 26.04% | 3.15% | 24.90% | -4.10% | 17.04% |
IDHQ Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF | 26.27% | 27.46% | 1.33% | 18.80% | -20.23% | 11.38% | 16.09% | 29.58% | -13.38% | 28.16% |
Correlation
The correlation between QDEF and IDHQ is 0.70, 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. | 0.70 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.73 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2012 | 0.64 |
The correlation between QDEF and IDHQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
QDEF vs. IDHQ — Risk / Return Rank
QDEF
IDHQ
QDEF vs. IDHQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF (IDHQ). 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 | IDHQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.36 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.93 | 3.03 | -0.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.20 | 12.14 | +0.06 |
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Drawdowns
QDEF vs. IDHQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QDEF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, smaller than the maximum IDHQ drawdown of -73.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEF and IDHQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QDEF | IDHQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.74% | -73.84% | +38.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.95% | -13.44% | +6.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.43% | -14.07% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.37% | -33.54% | +12.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.74% | -33.54% | -2.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.58% | -1.04% | +0.46% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.27% | -21.03% | +17.76% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.67% | 3.35% | -1.68% |
Volatility
QDEF vs. IDHQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) is 2.29%, while Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF (IDHQ) has a volatility of 4.17%. This indicates that QDEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IDHQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QDEF | IDHQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.29% | 4.17% | -1.88% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.47% | 18.92% | -11.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.85% | 20.74% | -10.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.77% | 17.85% | -4.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.14% | 17.97% | -1.83% |
QDEF vs. IDHQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
QDEF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than IDHQ's 0.29% expense ratio.
Dividends
QDEF vs. IDHQ - Dividend Comparison
QDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, less than IDHQ's 2.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IDHQ Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF | 2.01% | 2.46% | 2.41% | 2.52% | 3.33% | 2.10% | 1.60% | 2.10% | 2.67% | 1.68% | 2.36% | 1.71% |
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 IDHQ have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IDHQ has higher volatility (4.17%) compared to QDEF (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEF dropped -35.74% vs IDHQ's -73.84%.
On 10-year performance, QDEF leads with 12.14% vs 10.64% for IDHQ. On fees, IDHQ is cheaper at 0.29% 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 10-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 12.14% return vs 10.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IDHQ is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDEF.
IDHQ has the higher dividend yield at 2.01%, compared with 1.58% for QDEF.
QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while IDHQ tracks IDHQ-US - S&P Quality Developed Ex-U.S. LargeMidCap Index. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDEF and 0.29% for IDHQ.
QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.97), 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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