QGRO vs. QLV

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QGRO (American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - QGRO tracks the American Century U.S. Quality Growth Index while QLV tracks the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QGRO returned 9.69%/yr vs 10.05%/yr for QLV. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QGRO charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

QGRO vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) and FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QGRO achieves a 1.31% return, which is significantly lower than QLV's 9.55% return.

QGRO

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: -0.28%
• 6M: 2.39%
• YTD: 1.31%
• 1Y: 7.84%
• 3Y*: 19.28%
• 5Y*: 9.69%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.87%

QLV

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 1.91%
• 6M: 6.89%
• YTD: 9.55%
• 1Y: 16.70%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 10.05%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.67%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF	$8.71M	$8.72M	$14.21M
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	$571.44K	$481.55K	$516.78K

QGRO vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF	1.31%	15.18%	31.42%	32.42%	-24.54%	24.57%	37.99%	5.30%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.55%	12.28%	18.08%	13.71%	-9.97%	26.08%	9.63%	5.97%

Correlation

The correlation between QGRO and QLV is 0.52, 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.	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019	0.77

Over the past year, the correlation between QGRO and QLV has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.77, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QGRO vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QGRO	QLV
Technology	42.5%	30.2%
Communication Services	15.2%	7.4%
Industrials	12.3%	6.3%
Healthcare	11.6%	14.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	6.4%
Financial Services	3.9%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	7.8%
Energy	1.2%	6.5%
Utilities	0.8%	6.4%
Real Estate	0.8%	1.4%
Basic Materials	0.2%	1.3%

Return for Risk

QGRO vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QGRO

QGRO Risk / Return Rank: 22
QGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
QGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
QGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 21
QGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
QGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 25

QLV

QLV Risk / Return Rank: 83
QLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
QLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
QLV Omega Ratio Rank: 85
QLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
QLV Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QGRO vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) and FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV). 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.

	QGRO	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.49	2.13	-1.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.78	3.13	-2.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.39	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.58	2.71	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.90	11.17	-9.27

QGRO vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QGRO Sharpe Ratio is 0.49, which is lower than the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QGRO and QLV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

QGRO vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QGRO drawdown since its inception was -32.56%, roughly equal to the maximum QLV drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QGRO and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	QGRO	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.56%	-33.71%	+1.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.54%	-6.19%	-7.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.82%	-12.05%	-11.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.86%	-17.93%	-13.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.05%	0.00%	-2.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.56%	-3.93%	-3.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.13%	1.50%	+2.63%

Volatility

QGRO vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) has a higher volatility of 4.19% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 2.30%. This indicates that QGRO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QGRO	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.19%	2.30%	+1.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.83%	5.98%	+6.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.20%	7.88%	+8.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.21%	12.64%	+8.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.83%	16.43%	+6.40%

QGRO vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

QGRO has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

QGRO vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

QGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than QLV's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF	0.18%	0.25%	0.25%	0.41%	0.46%	0.31%	0.22%	0.38%	0.13%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	1.52%	1.60%	1.66%	1.60%	1.74%	0.96%	1.24%	0.58%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QGRO and QLV in my portfolio?

QGRO and QLV have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QGRO or QLV?

QGRO has higher volatility (4.19%) compared to QLV (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QGRO dropped -32.56% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, QGRO or QLV?

On 5-year performance, QLV leads with 10.05% vs 9.69% for QGRO. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QGRO or QLV?

Over the 5-year period, QLV has performed better with a 10.05% return vs 9.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QGRO or QLV?

QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for QGRO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QGRO or QLV?

QLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.18% for QGRO.

What is the main difference between QGRO and QLV?

QGRO tracks American Century U.S. Quality Growth Index, while QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: American Century and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for QGRO and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 0.49), 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.