QIDX vs. QDEF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QIDX (Indexperts Quality Earnings Focused ETF) and QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds. QIDX is actively managed, while QDEF is passively managed. Over the past year, QIDX returned 14.22% vs 20.97% for QDEF. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QIDX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDEF.

Performance

QIDX vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with QIDX having a 10.40% return and QDEF slightly higher at 10.48%.

QIDX

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 0.29%
• 6M: 6.42%
• YTD: 10.40%
• 1Y: 14.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.90%

QDEF

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.68%
• 6M: 8.64%
• YTD: 10.48%
• 1Y: 20.97%
• 3Y*: 17.66%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 12.14%
• ALL TIME*: 12.72%

*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)
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	$546.87K	$522.47K	$732.31K
QIDX Indexperts Quality Earnings Focused ETF	$53.70K	$62.72K	$42.16K

QIDX vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QIDX Indexperts Quality Earnings Focused ETF	10.40%	6.60%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	10.48%	17.43%

Correlation

The correlation between QIDX and QDEF is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2025	0.85

The correlation between QIDX and QDEF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QIDX vs. QDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QIDX

QIDX Risk / Return Rank: 49
QIDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
QIDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
QIDX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
QIDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
QIDX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 85
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

QIDX vs. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Indexperts Quality Earnings Focused ETF (QIDX) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). 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.

	QIDX	QDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	2.07	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	2.94	-1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.38	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	2.93	-1.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.38	12.20	-5.82

QIDX vs. QDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QIDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is lower than the QDEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QIDX and QDEF, 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

QIDX vs. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QIDX drawdown since its inception was -14.99%, smaller than the maximum QDEF drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QIDX and QDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QIDX	QDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.99%	-35.74%	+20.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.92%	-6.95%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.43%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.37%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-0.58%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.13%	-3.27%	+1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	1.67%	+0.39%

Volatility

QIDX vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison

Indexperts Quality Earnings Focused ETF (QIDX) has a higher volatility of 2.55% compared to FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) at 2.29%. This indicates that QIDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QIDX	QDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.55%	2.29%	+0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	7.47%	+0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.02%	9.85%	+1.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.20%	13.77%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.20%	16.14%	-1.94%

QIDX vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QIDX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than QDEF's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

QIDX vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison

QIDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, less than QDEF's 1.58% 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%
QIDX Indexperts Quality Earnings Focused ETF	0.86%	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QIDX and QDEF in my portfolio?

QIDX and QDEF have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QIDX or QDEF?

QIDX has higher volatility (2.55%) compared to QDEF (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QIDX dropped -14.99% vs QDEF's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, QIDX or QDEF?

On 1-year performance, QDEF leads with 20.97% vs 14.22% for QIDX. On fees, QDEF is cheaper at 0.37% per year. On volatility, QDEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QIDX or QDEF?

Over the 1-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 20.97% return vs 14.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QIDX or QDEF?

QDEF is cheaper with a 0.37% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for QIDX.

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

QDEF has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 0.86% for QIDX.

What is the main difference between QIDX and QDEF?

They also come from different issuers: Indexperts and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for QIDX and 0.37% for QDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.20), 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.