QDF vs. IBIC
QDF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund) and IBIC (iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDF is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Index, while IBIC is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QDF returned 25.86% vs 4.42% for IBIC. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. QDF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBIC.
Performance
QDF vs. IBIC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QDF achieves a 9.88% return, which is significantly higher than IBIC's 2.43% return.
QDF
- 1D
- -1.18%
- 1M
- -0.24%
- YTD
- 9.88%
- 6M
- 8.92%
- 1Y
- 25.86%
- 3Y*
- 18.58%
- 5Y*
- 11.94%
- 10Y*
- 12.35%
IBIC
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.12%
- YTD
- 2.43%
- 6M
- 2.57%
- 1Y
- 4.42%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QDF vs. IBIC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
QDF FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund | 9.88% | 16.58% | 16.95% | 6.77% |
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF | 2.43% | 4.96% | 5.25% | 2.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between QDF and IBIC is -0.22, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 15, 2023 | -0.03 |
The correlation between QDF and IBIC shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (1 year) to -0.03 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QDF vs. IBIC — Risk / Return Rank
QDF
IBIC
QDF vs. IBIC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (QDF) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). 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.
| QDF | IBIC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.83 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -5.96 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 2.22 | -0.83 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.29 | 16.56 | -13.27 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.15 | 58.67 | -44.52 |
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Drawdowns
QDF vs. IBIC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QDF drawdown since its inception was -36.67%, which is greater than IBIC's maximum drawdown of -0.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDF and IBIC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QDF | IBIC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.67% | -0.90% | -35.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.90% | -0.27% | -7.63% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.01% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.06% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.67% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.50% | -0.08% | -1.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.63% | -0.10% | -3.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.83% | 0.08% | +1.75% |
Volatility
QDF vs. IBIC - Volatility Comparison
FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (QDF) has a higher volatility of 4.23% compared to iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) at 0.17%. This indicates that QDF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBIC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QDF | IBIC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.23% | 0.17% | +4.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.40% | 0.67% | +8.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.04% | 0.89% | +11.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.66% | 1.56% | +14.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.40% | 1.56% | +15.84% |
QDF vs. IBIC - Expense Ratio Comparison
QDF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIC's 0.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
QDF vs. IBIC - Dividend Comparison
QDF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, less than IBIC's 3.58% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF | 3.58% | 4.43% | 4.65% | 0.83% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QDF FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund | 1.53% | 1.65% | 1.93% | 2.19% | 2.45% | 1.90% | 2.38% | 3.05% | 4.29% | 2.70% | 3.07% | 3.04% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QDF and IBIC have a correlation of -0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QDF has higher volatility (4.23%) compared to IBIC (0.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDF dropped -36.67% vs IBIC's -0.90%.
On 1-year performance, QDF leads with 25.86% vs 4.42% for IBIC. On fees, IBIC is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IBIC has been the lower-risk option at 0.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, QDF has performed better with a 25.86% return vs 4.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBIC is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDF.
IBIC has the higher dividend yield at 3.58%, compared with 1.53% for QDF.
QDF is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while IBIC is Inflation-Protected Bonds. QDF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Index, while IBIC tracks ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDF and 0.10% for IBIC.
IBIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.99 vs 2.16), 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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