QLC vs. IQDF

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) and IQDF (FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds from Northern Trust - QLC tracks the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index while IQDF tracks the Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QLC returned 14.87%/yr vs 9.60%/yr for IQDF. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QLC charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IQDF.

Performance

QLC vs. IQDF - 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 International Quality Dividend Index Fund (IQDF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLC achieves a 15.68% return, which is significantly lower than IQDF's 18.56% return. Over the past 10 years, QLC has outperformed IQDF with an annualized return of 14.87%, while IQDF has yielded a comparatively lower 9.60% 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%

IQDF

• 1D: 1.58%
• 1M: 3.47%
• 6M: 10.06%
• YTD: 18.56%
• 1Y: 34.12%
• 3Y*: 23.13%
• 5Y*: 11.49%
• 10Y*: 9.60%
• ALL TIME*: 7.36%

*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)
IQDF FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund	$2.10M	$2.42M	$2.14M
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	$3.27M	$4.10M	$3.64M

QLC vs. IQDF - 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%
IQDF FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund	18.56%	35.42%	6.62%	20.10%	-14.69%	10.18%	3.54%	20.96%	-17.39%	23.87%

Correlation

The correlation between QLC and IQDF is 0.77, 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.	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015	0.68

The correlation between QLC and IQDF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

QLC vs. IQDF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLC	IQDF
Technology	38.0%	19.1%
Financial Services	13.6%	27.9%
Communication Services	10.2%	3.6%
Healthcare	10.0%	5.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.2%	5.8%
Industrials	5.8%	11.8%
Utilities	3.8%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	5.3%
Real Estate	2.8%	3.0%
Energy	2.3%	5.0%
Basic Materials	2.1%	7.5%

Return for Risk

QLC vs. IQDF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLC

QLC Risk / Return Rank: 86
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 85
QLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
QLC Martin Ratio Rank: 89

IQDF

IQDF Risk / Return Rank: 82
IQDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
IQDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
IQDF Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IQDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
IQDF Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

QLC vs. IQDF - 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 International Quality Dividend Index Fund (IQDF). 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	IQDF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.15	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	2.87	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.38	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	3.42	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.13	12.83	+2.30

QLC vs. IQDF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLC Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the IQDF Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLC and IQDF, 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

QLC vs. IQDF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLC drawdown since its inception was -35.86%, smaller than the maximum IQDF drawdown of -39.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLC and IQDF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLC	IQDF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.86%	-39.83%	+3.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-10.03%	+1.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.49%	-13.92%	-4.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.81%	-29.31%	+5.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.86%	-39.83%	+3.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.49%	-9.24%	+4.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	2.67%	-0.69%

Volatility

QLC vs. IQDF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) is 3.89%, while FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund (IQDF) has a volatility of 5.06%. This indicates that QLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IQDF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLC	IQDF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.89%	5.06%	-1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.51%	14.15%	-3.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.30%	15.99%	-2.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.94%	15.80%	+1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	16.52%	+1.89%

QLC vs. IQDF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLC has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than IQDF's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLC vs. IQDF - Dividend Comparison

QLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than IQDF's 2.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IQDF FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund	2.94%	3.27%	6.72%	6.06%	5.59%	4.13%	3.31%	4.46%	5.78%	3.89%	3.75%	4.27%
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

Can I hold both QLC and IQDF in my portfolio?

QLC and IQDF have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QLC or IQDF?

IQDF has higher volatility (5.06%) compared to QLC (3.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLC dropped -35.86% vs IQDF's -39.83%.

Which ETF is better, QLC or IQDF?

On 10-year performance, QLC leads with 14.87% vs 9.60% for IQDF. 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.

Which ETF has performed better, QLC or IQDF?

Over the 10-year period, QLC has performed better with a 14.87% return vs 9.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLC or IQDF?

QLC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IQDF.

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

IQDF has the higher dividend yield at 2.94%, compared with 0.90% for QLC.

What is the main difference between QLC and IQDF?

QLC tracks Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index, while IQDF tracks Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for QLC and 0.47% for IQDF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 2.15), 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.