QLC vs. GQGU

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU).

QLC and GQGU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. QLC is a passively managed fund by Northern Trust that tracks the performance of the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. It was launched on Sep 24, 2015. GQGU is an actively managed fund by GQG Partners. It was launched on Jul 14, 2025.

Performance

QLC vs. GQGU - Performance Comparison

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

QLC vs. GQGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	-2.48%	13.74%
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	9.61%	-1.14%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLC achieves a -2.48% return, which is significantly lower than GQGU's 9.61% return.

QLC

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -3.84%
• YTD: -2.48%
• 6M: 1.47%
• 1Y: 24.41%
• 3Y*: 21.52%
• 5Y*: 13.73%
• 10Y*: 13.39%

GQGU

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -1.83%
• YTD: 9.61%
• 6M: 8.04%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QLC vs. GQGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLC has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than GQGU's 0.49% expense ratio.

GQGU

GQG US Equity ETF

QLC

FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund

Return for Risk

QLC vs. GQGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLC

QLC Risk / Return Rank: 76
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 76
QLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
QLC Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. GQGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU). 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	GQGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.08	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.76	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QLC	GQGU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.34	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	1.25	-0.52

Correlation

The correlation between QLC and GQGU is -0.04. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.

Dividends

QLC vs. GQGU - Dividend Comparison

QLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, more than GQGU's 0.93% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	1.00%	0.94%	1.03%	1.26%	1.46%	0.96%	1.40%	1.91%	1.82%	1.29%	1.80%	0.64%
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	0.93%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

QLC vs. GQGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLC drawdown since its inception was -35.86%, which is greater than GQGU's maximum drawdown of -6.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLC and GQGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLC	GQGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.86%	-6.65%	-29.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.92%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.40%	-1.96%	-3.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.60%	-2.20%	-2.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QLC	GQGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.17%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.94%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.34%	9.55%	+8.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.81%	9.55%	+7.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.39%	9.55%	+8.84%