QLC vs. LKOR
QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) and LKOR (FlexShares Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QLC is a Quality Factor fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index, while LKOR is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Northern Trust US Long Corporate Bond Quality Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QLC returned 14.87%/yr vs 1.90%/yr for LKOR. Their 0.16 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. QLC charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for LKOR.
Performance
QLC vs. LKOR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QLC achieves a 15.68% return, which is significantly higher than LKOR's -1.46% return. Over the past 10 years, QLC has outperformed LKOR with an annualized return of 14.87%, while LKOR has yielded a comparatively lower 1.90% 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%
LKOR
- 1D
- 0.68%
- 1M
- -2.58%
- 6M
- -1.83%
- YTD
- -1.46%
- 1Y
- 0.75%
- 3Y*
- 4.29%
- 5Y*
- -3.11%
- 10Y*
- 1.90%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.90%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $57.27K | $58.90K | $119.12K | |
| $3.27M | $4.10M | $3.64M |
QLC vs. LKOR - 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% |
LKOR FlexShares Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund | -1.46% | 7.04% | -1.02% | 11.64% | -25.55% | -1.51% | 16.00% | 23.97% | -7.61% | 13.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between QLC and LKOR is 0.43, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.43 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.33 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.18 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015 | 0.16 |
Over the past year, QLC and LKOR have become more correlated (0.43) than their long-term average of 0.16, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
QLC vs. LKOR — Risk / Return Rank
QLC
LKOR
QLC vs. LKOR - 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 Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund (LKOR). 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 | LKOR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.17 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.94 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.02 | +0.38 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.39 | 0.13 | +3.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.13 | 0.29 | +14.84 |
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Drawdowns
QLC vs. LKOR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QLC drawdown since its inception was -35.86%, roughly equal to the maximum LKOR drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLC and LKOR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QLC | LKOR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.86% | -34.78% | -1.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.84% | -5.63% | -3.21% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.49% | -10.02% | -8.47% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.81% | -34.78% | +10.97% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.86% | -34.78% | -1.08% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -15.52% | +15.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.49% | -10.42% | +5.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.98% | 2.58% | -0.60% |
Volatility
QLC vs. LKOR - Volatility Comparison
FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) has a higher volatility of 3.89% compared to FlexShares Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund (LKOR) at 2.33%. This indicates that QLC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LKOR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QLC | LKOR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.89% | 2.33% | +1.56% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.51% | 6.08% | +4.43% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.30% | 7.75% | +5.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.94% | 12.88% | +4.06% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.41% | 13.21% | +5.20% |
QLC vs. LKOR - Expense Ratio Comparison
QLC has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than LKOR's 0.22% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
QLC vs. LKOR - Dividend Comparison
QLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than LKOR's 5.86% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LKOR FlexShares Credit-Scored U.S. Long Corporate Bond Index Fund | 5.86% | 5.57% | 5.52% | 4.90% | 4.71% | 4.73% | 6.56% | 3.71% | 4.21% | 3.77% | 5.53% | 1.22% |
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 LKOR have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QLC has higher volatility (3.89%) compared to LKOR (2.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLC dropped -35.86% vs LKOR's -34.78%.
On 10-year performance, QLC leads with 14.87% vs 1.90% for LKOR. On fees, LKOR is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, LKOR has been the lower-risk option at 2.33%. 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 1.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
LKOR is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for QLC.
LKOR has the higher dividend yield at 5.86%, compared with 0.90% for QLC.
QLC is categorized as Quality Factor, while LKOR is Corporate Bonds. QLC tracks Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index, while LKOR tracks Northern Trust US Long Corporate Bond Quality Value Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for QLC and 0.22% for LKOR.
QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 0.10), 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.
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