QDEF vs. USMV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDEF is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while USMV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QDEF returned 12.39%/yr vs 10.00%/yr for USMV. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QDEF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USMV.

Performance

QDEF vs. USMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF (USMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QDEF achieves a 9.33% return, which is significantly higher than USMV's 3.37% return. Over the past 10 years, QDEF has outperformed USMV with an annualized return of 12.39%, while USMV has yielded a comparatively lower 10.00% annualized return.

QDEF

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 3.66%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 6M: 9.70%
• 1Y: 24.69%
• 3Y*: 19.79%
• 5Y*: 12.90%
• 10Y*: 12.39%

USMV

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 2.48%
• YTD: 3.37%
• 6M: 3.65%
• 1Y: 5.11%
• 3Y*: 12.04%
• 5Y*: 7.76%
• 10Y*: 10.00%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QDEF vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	9.33%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	24.90%	-4.10%	17.04%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF	3.37%	7.65%	15.74%	10.33%	-9.43%	20.85%	5.64%	27.69%	1.33%	18.91%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEF and USMV is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2012	0.86

The correlation between QDEF and USMV shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.87 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QDEF vs. USMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDEF	USMV
Technology	32.8%	30.8%
Financial Services	11.5%	12.4%
Healthcare	11.4%	12.5%
Communication Services	7.7%	5.9%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	10.0%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	5.7%
Industrials	6.7%	5.7%
Real Estate	5.4%	2.2%
Energy	4.0%	3.6%
Basic Materials	3.0%	2.2%
Utilities	2.9%	7.5%

Return for Risk

QDEF vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 78
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 79
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 79

USMV

USMV Risk / Return Rank: 19
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 17
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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. USMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF (USMV). 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	USMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.58	0.61	+1.98
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	0.91	+2.73
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.11	+0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	0.82	+2.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.68	2.74	+12.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QDEF vs. USMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEF Sharpe Ratio is 2.58, which is higher than the USMV Sharpe Ratio of 0.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEF and USMV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QDEF	USMV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.58	0.61	+1.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	0.63	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.69	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.87	-0.03

Drawdowns

QDEF vs. USMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than USMV's maximum drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEF and USMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEF	USMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-33.10%	-2.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.95%	-6.46%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.43%	-9.36%	-5.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.37%	-17.93%	-3.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.74%	-33.10%	-2.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.49%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-2.88%	-0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	1.93%	-0.33%

Volatility

QDEF vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) has a higher volatility of 2.41% compared to iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF (USMV) at 2.27%. This indicates that QDEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDEF	USMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.41%	2.27%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.17%	5.93%	+1.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.61%	8.47%	+1.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.78%	12.35%	+1.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.17%	14.51%	+1.66%

QDEF vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than USMV's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDEF vs. USMV - Dividend Comparison

QDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, more than USMV's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF	1.52%	1.49%	1.67%	1.82%	1.62%	1.26%	1.81%	1.88%	2.12%	1.77%	2.22%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDEF and USMV in my portfolio?

QDEF and USMV have a correlation of 0.66, 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 USMV?

QDEF has higher volatility (2.41%) compared to USMV (2.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEF dropped -35.74% vs USMV's -33.10%.

Which ETF is better, QDEF or USMV?

On 10-year performance, QDEF leads with 12.39% vs 10.00% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, USMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDEF or USMV?

Over the 10-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 12.39% return vs 10.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDEF or USMV?

USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDEF.

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

QDEF has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 1.52% for USMV.

What is the main difference between QDEF and USMV?

QDEF is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while USMV is Large Cap Blend Equities. QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDEF and 0.15% for USMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 0.61), 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.