QLC vs. ESG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) and ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index, while ESG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLC returned 15.29%/yr vs 12.73%/yr for ESG. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLC charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ESG.

Performance

QLC vs. ESG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLC achieves a 11.39% return, which is significantly lower than ESG's 12.20% return.

QLC

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 11.39%
• 6M: 11.88%
• 1Y: 33.09%
• 3Y*: 25.39%
• 5Y*: 15.29%
• 10Y*: 14.83%

ESG

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 7.28%
• YTD: 12.20%
• 6M: 13.15%
• 1Y: 25.90%
• 3Y*: 20.72%
• 5Y*: 12.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

QLC vs. ESG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	11.39%	23.26%	26.71%	26.02%	-17.21%	28.46%	13.64%	24.51%	-8.12%	21.73%
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	12.20%	16.04%	20.22%	27.86%	-19.89%	28.48%	20.75%	31.74%	-5.17%	22.78%

Correlation

The correlation between QLC and ESG is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2016	0.87

The correlation between QLC and ESG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

QLC vs. ESG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLC	ESG
Technology	34.8%	36.7%
Financial Services	13.8%	16.9%
Communication Services	13.8%	1.0%
Healthcare	10.1%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	10.0%
Industrials	6.6%	4.5%
Utilities	3.4%	0.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	9.2%
Real Estate	2.3%	2.7%
Basic Materials	2.2%	3.0%
Energy	2.0%	3.1%

Return for Risk

QLC vs. ESG — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLC

QLC Risk / Return Rank: 81
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
QLC Martin Ratio Rank: 85

ESG

ESG Risk / Return Rank: 67
ESG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ESG Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ESG Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ESG Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ESG Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

QLC vs. ESG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG). 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.

	QLC	ESG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	2.33	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	3.23	+0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.41	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.76	3.00	+0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.59	13.02	+4.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QLC vs. ESG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLC Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is comparable to the ESG Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLC and ESG, 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

	QLC	ESG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69	2.33	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	0.76	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.83	-0.03

Drawdowns

QLC vs. ESG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLC drawdown since its inception was -35.86%, which is greater than ESG's maximum drawdown of -32.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLC and ESG.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLC	ESG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.86%	-32.53%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-8.68%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.49%	-18.32%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.81%	-26.04%	+2.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.45%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.54%	-5.07%	+0.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	1.99%	-0.10%

Volatility

QLC vs. ESG - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) have volatilities of 2.94% and 2.94%, 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

	QLC	ESG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	2.94%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.51%	8.46%	+1.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.38%	11.16%	+1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.82%	16.73%	+0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.42%	18.36%	+0.06%

QLC vs. ESG - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLC has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than ESG's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLC vs. ESG - Dividend Comparison

QLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, more than ESG's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	0.87%	0.96%	1.18%	1.10%	1.38%	1.03%	1.33%	1.51%	1.72%	1.52%	0.92%	0.00%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	0.88%	0.94%	1.03%	1.26%	1.46%	0.96%	1.40%	1.91%	1.82%	1.29%	1.80%	0.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLC and ESG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, QLC and ESG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QLC or ESG?

ESG has higher volatility (2.94%) compared to QLC (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLC dropped -35.86% vs ESG's -32.53%.

Which ETF is better, QLC or ESG?

On 5-year performance, QLC leads with 15.29% vs 12.73% for ESG. On fees, QLC is cheaper at 0.25% 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, QLC or ESG?

Over the 5-year period, QLC has performed better with a 15.29% return vs 12.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLC or ESG?

QLC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ESG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QLC or ESG?

QLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.87% for ESG.

What is the main difference between QLC and ESG?

QLC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while ESG is Large Cap Growth Equities. QLC tracks Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index, while ESG tracks STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for QLC and 0.32% for ESG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 2.33), 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.