QDF vs. LVHD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QDF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund) and LVHD (Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDF is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Index, while LVHD is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QDF returned 12.24%/yr vs 8.05%/yr for LVHD. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QDF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for LVHD.

Performance

QDF vs. LVHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (QDF) and Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QDF achieves a 11.32% return, which is significantly higher than LVHD's 6.87% return. Over the past 10 years, QDF has outperformed LVHD with an annualized return of 12.24%, while LVHD has yielded a comparatively lower 8.05% annualized return.

QDF

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 4.46%
• YTD: 11.32%
• 6M: 11.87%
• 1Y: 29.24%
• 3Y*: 19.43%
• 5Y*: 12.18%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

LVHD

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -1.96%
• YTD: 6.87%
• 6M: 7.02%
• 1Y: 9.87%
• 3Y*: 9.38%
• 5Y*: 6.16%
• 10Y*: 8.05%

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

QDF vs. LVHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QDF FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund	11.32%	16.58%	16.95%	19.71%	-12.13%	26.65%	4.86%	25.71%	-7.97%	17.42%
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	6.87%	7.50%	10.18%	-0.95%	-1.82%	26.90%	-1.28%	22.91%	-5.58%	14.25%

Correlation

The correlation between QDF and LVHD is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2015	0.71

Over the past year, the correlation between QDF and LVHD has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.71, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QDF vs. LVHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDF	LVHD
Technology	38.3%	5.9%
Financial Services	13.2%	8.6%
Industrials	8.9%	4.6%
Healthcare	8.3%	4.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	6.8%
Communication Services	6.8%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	18.5%
Real Estate	5.4%	15.0%
Utilities	2.1%	25.5%
Basic Materials	1.6%	-
Energy	0.9%	6.7%

Return for Risk

QDF vs. LVHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDF

QDF Risk / Return Rank: 77
QDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
QDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
QDF Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
QDF Martin Ratio Rank: 82

LVHD

LVHD Risk / Return Rank: 29
LVHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
LVHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
LVHD Omega Ratio Rank: 26
LVHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
LVHD Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

QDF vs. LVHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (QDF) and Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD). 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.

	QDF	LVHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.54	1.04	+1.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	1.55	+1.99
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.18	+0.29
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.78	1.60	+2.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.57	4.11	+12.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QDF vs. LVHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDF Sharpe Ratio is 2.54, which is higher than the LVHD Sharpe Ratio of 1.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDF and LVHD, 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

	QDF	LVHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.54	1.04	+1.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.48	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.52	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.56	+0.22

Drawdowns

QDF vs. LVHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDF drawdown since its inception was -36.67%, roughly equal to the maximum LVHD drawdown of -37.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDF and LVHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDF	LVHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.67%	-37.32%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.90%	-6.17%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.01%	-14.29%	-3.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.06%	-16.75%	-5.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.67%	-37.32%	+0.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-4.70%	+4.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.65%	-4.05%	+0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.80%	2.40%	-0.60%

Volatility

QDF vs. LVHD - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (QDF) and Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) have volatilities of 2.99% and 2.97%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDF	LVHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	2.97%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.75%	6.73%	+2.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.59%	9.52%	+2.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.60%	12.87%	+2.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.39%	15.51%	+1.88%

QDF vs. LVHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than LVHD's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDF vs. LVHD - Dividend Comparison

QDF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, less than LVHD's 3.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	3.40%	3.35%	4.23%	3.55%	3.30%	2.56%	3.27%	3.30%	3.82%	3.33%	2.48%	0.00%
QDF FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund	1.49%	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

Can I hold both QDF and LVHD in my portfolio?

QDF and LVHD have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDF or LVHD?

QDF has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to LVHD (2.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDF dropped -36.67% vs LVHD's -37.32%.

Which ETF is better, QDF or LVHD?

On 10-year performance, QDF leads with 12.24% vs 8.05% for LVHD. On fees, LVHD is cheaper at 0.27% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDF or LVHD?

Over the 10-year period, QDF has performed better with a 12.24% return vs 8.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDF or LVHD?

LVHD is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QDF or LVHD?

LVHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 1.49% for QDF.

What is the main difference between QDF and LVHD?

QDF is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while LVHD is Volatility Hedged Equity. QDF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Index, while LVHD tracks QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDF and 0.27% for LVHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 1.04), 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.