QLC vs. QARP

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) and QARP (Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF) are both Quality Factor funds - QLC tracks the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index while QARP tracks the Russell 1000 2Qual/Val 5% Capped Factor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLC returned 15.04%/yr vs 12.12%/yr for QARP. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QLC charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for QARP.

Performance

QLC vs. QARP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF (QARP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with QLC having a 15.68% return and QARP slightly lower at 15.30%.

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%

QARP

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 3.67%
• 6M: 10.06%
• YTD: 15.30%
• 1Y: 26.81%
• 3Y*: 18.24%
• 5Y*: 12.12%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.41%

*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)
QARP Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF	$112.54K	$118.75K	$179.32K
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	$3.27M	$4.10M	$3.64M

QLC vs. QARP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	15.68%	23.26%	26.71%	26.02%	-17.21%	28.46%	13.64%	24.51%	-8.19%
QARP Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF	15.30%	13.99%	18.94%	23.03%	-14.62%	31.82%	14.83%	30.70%	-5.53%

Correlation

The correlation between QLC and QARP is 0.86, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2018	0.92

The correlation between QLC and QARP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

QLC vs. QARP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLC	QARP
Technology	38.0%	24.1%
Financial Services	13.6%	12.4%
Communication Services	10.2%	10.5%
Healthcare	10.0%	14.0%
Consumer Cyclical	7.2%	9.4%
Industrials	5.8%	7.9%
Utilities	3.8%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	9.5%
Real Estate	2.8%	1.0%
Energy	2.3%	6.3%
Basic Materials	2.1%	2.5%

Return for Risk

QLC vs. QARP — 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

QARP

QARP Risk / Return Rank: 90
QARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
QARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
QARP Omega Ratio Rank: 90
QARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QARP Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. QARP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF (QARP). 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	QARP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.53	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	3.55	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.46	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	3.71	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.13	16.59	-1.46

QLC vs. QARP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLC Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the QARP Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLC and QARP, 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. QARP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLC drawdown since its inception was -35.86%, roughly equal to the maximum QARP drawdown of -35.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLC and QARP.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLC	QARP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.86%	-35.44%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-7.26%	-1.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.49%	-15.65%	-2.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.81%	-22.75%	-1.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.49%	-4.37%	-0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	1.62%	+0.36%

Volatility

QLC vs. QARP - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) has a higher volatility of 3.89% compared to Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF (QARP) at 2.79%. This indicates that QLC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QARP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLC	QARP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.89%	2.79%	+1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.51%	8.20%	+2.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.30%	10.70%	+2.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.94%	15.53%	+1.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	19.51%	-1.10%

QLC vs. QARP - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLC has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than QARP's 0.19% 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. QARP - Dividend Comparison

QLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than QARP's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QARP Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF	1.00%	1.14%	1.39%	1.28%	1.68%	1.34%	1.61%	1.85%	1.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 QARP in my portfolio?

QLC and QARP have a correlation of 0.86, 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 QARP?

QLC has higher volatility (3.89%) compared to QARP (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLC dropped -35.86% vs QARP's -35.44%.

Which ETF is better, QLC or QARP?

On 5-year performance, QLC leads with 15.04% vs 12.12% for QARP. On fees, QARP is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, QARP has been the lower-risk option at 2.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLC or QARP?

Over the 5-year period, QLC has performed better with a 15.04% return vs 12.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLC or QARP?

QARP is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for QLC.

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

QARP has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.90% for QLC.

What is the main difference between QLC and QARP?

QLC tracks Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index, while QARP tracks Russell 1000 2Qual/Val 5% Capped Factor Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for QLC and 0.19% for QARP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QARP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 2.27), 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.