QDEF vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDEF is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QDEF returned 12.34%/yr vs 11.90%/yr for VYM. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QDEF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

QDEF vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QDEF achieves a 8.81% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 12.47% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with QDEF having a 12.34% annualized return and VYM not far behind at 11.90%.

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%

VYM

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 3.38%
• YTD: 12.47%
• 6M: 12.01%
• 1Y: 26.16%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: 11.48%
• 10Y*: 11.90%

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

QDEF vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	8.81%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	24.90%	-4.10%	17.04%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	12.47%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	1.15%	24.06%	-5.92%	16.42%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEF and VYM is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2012	0.88

The correlation between QDEF and VYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

QDEF vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDEF	VYM
Technology	32.8%	17.7%
Financial Services	11.5%	20.5%
Healthcare	11.4%	12.2%
Communication Services	7.7%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	8.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	6.7%
Industrials	6.7%	12.1%
Real Estate	5.4%	0.0%
Energy	4.0%	9.8%
Basic Materials	3.0%	3.5%
Utilities	2.9%	5.7%

Return for Risk

QDEF vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 73
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 77
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	2.56	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.65	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.46	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	3.93	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.62	14.76	-0.14
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. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEF Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEF and VYM, 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	VYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	2.56	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.83	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.73	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.51	+0.33

Drawdowns

QDEF vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEF and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEF	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-56.98%	+21.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.95%	-6.69%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.43%	-14.46%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.37%	-15.84%	-5.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.74%	-35.21%	-0.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-0.43%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-7.19%	+3.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	1.78%	-0.18%

Volatility

QDEF vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) is 2.31%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 2.77%. This indicates that QDEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDEF	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.31%	2.77%	-0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.16%	7.67%	-0.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.62%	10.28%	-0.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.78%	13.96%	-0.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.17%	16.34%	-0.17%

QDEF vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDEF vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

QDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, less than VYM's 2.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.19%	2.44%	2.74%	3.12%	3.01%	2.76%	3.18%	3.03%	3.40%	2.80%	2.91%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDEF and VYM in my portfolio?

QDEF and VYM have a correlation of 0.84, 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 VYM?

VYM has higher volatility (2.77%) compared to QDEF (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEF dropped -35.74% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which ETF is better, QDEF or VYM?

On 10-year performance, QDEF leads with 12.34% vs 11.90% for VYM. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, QDEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDEF or VYM?

Over the 10-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 12.34% return vs 11.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDEF or VYM?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDEF.

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

VYM has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 1.59% for QDEF.

What is the main difference between QDEF and VYM?

QDEF is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while VYM is Dividend. QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDEF and 0.04% for VYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.44), 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.