QINT vs. QLV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QINT (American Century Quality Diversified International ETF) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - QINT tracks the Alpha Vee American Century Diversified International Equity Index while QLV tracks the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QINT returned 9.64%/yr vs 9.98%/yr for QLV. Their 0.69 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QINT charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

QINT vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) 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, QINT achieves a 11.64% return, which is significantly higher than QLV's 9.01% return.

QINT

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: 1.23%
• 6M: 6.16%
• YTD: 11.64%
• 1Y: 26.49%
• 3Y*: 19.65%
• 5Y*: 9.64%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.32%

QLV

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 1.40%
• 6M: 6.81%
• YTD: 9.01%
• 1Y: 16.12%
• 3Y*: 14.76%
• 5Y*: 9.98%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.61%

*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)
QINT American Century Quality Diversified International ETF	$2.00M	$2.83M	$3.27M
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	$433.57K	$400.63K	$648.84K

QINT vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QINT American Century Quality Diversified International ETF	11.64%	38.12%	6.53%	20.36%	-19.75%	9.29%	17.95%	7.18%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.01%	12.28%	18.08%	13.71%	-9.97%	26.08%	9.63%	5.97%

Correlation

The correlation between QINT and QLV is 0.51, 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.	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019	0.69

The correlation between QINT and QLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.69 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QINT vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QINT	QLV
Financial Services	20.6%	12.3%
Industrials	18.6%	6.3%
Consumer Cyclical	15.2%	6.4%
Healthcare	10.4%	14.1%
Technology	9.9%	30.2%
Basic Materials	8.3%	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	7.8%
Energy	5.3%	6.5%
Communication Services	3.9%	7.4%
Utilities	1.5%	6.4%
Real Estate	0.8%	1.4%

Return for Risk

QINT vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

QINT

QINT Risk / Return Rank: 73
QINT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
QINT Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QINT Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QINT Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QINT Martin Ratio Rank: 75

QLV

QLV Risk / Return Rank: 82
QLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QLV Omega Ratio Rank: 84
QLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QLV Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

QINT vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) 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.

	QINT	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.99	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	2.93	-0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.36	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.53	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.36	10.43	-1.07

QINT vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QINT Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QINT 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

QINT vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QINT drawdown since its inception was -33.86%, roughly equal to the maximum QLV drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QINT and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	QINT	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.86%	-33.71%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.41%	-6.19%	-5.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.56%	-12.05%	-1.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.86%	-17.93%	-15.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-0.43%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.42%	-3.93%	-3.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.82%	1.50%	+1.32%

Volatility

QINT vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) has a higher volatility of 4.78% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 2.64%. This indicates that QINT'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

	QINT	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.78%	2.64%	+2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.56%	5.96%	+7.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.62%	7.88%	+7.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.36%	12.63%	+3.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.04%	16.43%	+1.61%

QINT vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

QINT has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

QINT vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

QINT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.43%, more than QLV's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QINT American Century Quality Diversified International ETF	2.43%	2.66%	3.49%	3.12%	3.56%	2.30%	1.61%	1.83%	0.42%
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 QINT and QLV in my portfolio?

QINT and QLV have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QINT or QLV?

QINT has higher volatility (4.78%) compared to QLV (2.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QINT dropped -33.86% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, QINT or QLV?

On 5-year performance, QLV leads with 9.98% vs 9.64% for QINT. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QINT or QLV?

Over the 5-year period, QLV has performed better with a 9.98% return vs 9.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QINT or QLV?

QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for QINT.

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

QINT has the higher dividend yield at 2.43%, compared with 1.52% for QLV.

What is the main difference between QINT and QLV?

QINT tracks Alpha Vee American Century Diversified International Equity 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: 0.39% for QINT and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.70), 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.