QLC vs. IDHQ
QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) and IDHQ (Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF) are both Quality Factor funds - QLC tracks the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index while IDHQ tracks the IDHQ-US - S&P Quality Developed Ex-U.S. LargeMidCap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QLC returned 14.87%/yr vs 10.90%/yr for IDHQ. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QLC charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for IDHQ.
Performance
QLC vs. IDHQ - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QLC achieves a 15.68% return, which is significantly lower than IDHQ's 28.92% return. Over the past 10 years, QLC has outperformed IDHQ with an annualized return of 14.87%, while IDHQ has yielded a comparatively lower 10.90% annualized return.
QLC
- 1D
- 1.86%
- 1M
- 3.97%
- 6M
- 14.01%
- YTD
- 15.68%
- 1Y
- 29.86%
- 3Y*
- 24.86%
- 5Y*
- 15.04%
- 10Y*
- 14.87%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.63%
IDHQ
- 1D
- 1.31%
- 1M
- 1.91%
- 6M
- 20.17%
- YTD
- 28.92%
- 1Y
- 42.54%
- 3Y*
- 21.22%
- 5Y*
- 9.72%
- 10Y*
- 10.90%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.43%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $6.18M | $6.44M | $5.74M | |
| $3.27M | $4.10M | $3.64M |
QLC vs. IDHQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund | 15.68% | 23.26% | 26.71% | 26.02% | -17.21% | 28.46% | 13.64% | 24.51% | -8.12% | 21.73% |
IDHQ Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF | 28.92% | 27.46% | 1.33% | 18.80% | -20.23% | 11.38% | 16.09% | 29.58% | -13.38% | 28.16% |
Correlation
The correlation between QLC and IDHQ is 0.74, 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. | 0.74 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.75 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.68 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015 | 0.66 |
The correlation between QLC and IDHQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
QLC vs. IDHQ — Risk / Return Rank
QLC
IDHQ
QLC vs. IDHQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF (IDHQ). 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.
| QLC | IDHQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.20 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.38 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.39 | 3.18 | +0.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.13 | 12.74 | +2.39 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
QLC vs. IDHQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QLC drawdown since its inception was -35.86%, smaller than the maximum IDHQ drawdown of -73.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLC and IDHQ.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| QLC | IDHQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.86% | -73.84% | +37.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.84% | -13.44% | +4.60% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.49% | -14.07% | -4.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.81% | -33.54% | +9.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.86% | -33.54% | -2.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.49% | -21.02% | +16.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.98% | 3.35% | -1.37% |
Volatility
QLC vs. IDHQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) is 3.89%, while Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF (IDHQ) has a volatility of 4.19%. This indicates that QLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IDHQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| QLC | IDHQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.89% | 4.19% | -0.30% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.51% | 18.92% | -8.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.30% | 20.71% | -7.41% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.94% | 17.87% | -0.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.41% | 17.98% | +0.43% |
QLC vs. IDHQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
QLC has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than IDHQ's 0.29% expense ratio.
Dividends
QLC vs. IDHQ - Dividend Comparison
QLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than IDHQ's 1.96% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IDHQ Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality ETF | 1.96% | 2.46% | 2.41% | 2.52% | 3.33% | 2.10% | 1.60% | 2.10% | 2.67% | 1.68% | 2.36% | 1.71% |
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund | 0.90% | 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
QLC and IDHQ have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IDHQ has higher volatility (4.19%) compared to QLC (3.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLC dropped -35.86% vs IDHQ's -73.84%.
On 10-year performance, QLC leads with 14.87% vs 10.90% for IDHQ. On fees, QLC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, QLC has been the lower-risk option at 3.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, QLC has performed better with a 14.87% return vs 10.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QLC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for IDHQ.
IDHQ has the higher dividend yield at 1.96%, compared with 0.90% for QLC.
QLC tracks Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index, while IDHQ tracks IDHQ-US - S&P Quality Developed Ex-U.S. LargeMidCap Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for QLC and 0.29% for IDHQ.
QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 2.07), 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.
Find the right allocation for QLC and IDHQ
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer