QLC vs. UGA
QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund, LP) are both exchange-traded funds - QLC is a Quality Factor fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Near-Month NYMEX RBOB Gasoline Futures Contract. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QLC returned 14.87%/yr vs 16.34%/yr for UGA. Their 0.17 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. QLC charges 0.25%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for UGA.
Performance
QLC vs. UGA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QLC achieves a 15.68% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 73.74% return. Over the past 10 years, QLC has underperformed UGA with an annualized return of 14.87%, while UGA has yielded a comparatively higher 16.34% 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%
UGA
- 1D
- -4.00%
- 1M
- 4.18%
- 6M
- 57.40%
- YTD
- 73.74%
- 1Y
- 71.86%
- 3Y*
- 15.08%
- 5Y*
- 23.69%
- 10Y*
- 16.34%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.28%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.27M | $4.10M | $3.64M | |
| $8.76M | $6.07M | $5.03M |
QLC vs. UGA - 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% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund, LP | 73.74% | -2.00% | 3.77% | 1.27% | 46.34% | 68.49% | -24.88% | 41.25% | -28.07% | 1.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between QLC and UGA is -0.26, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.07 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.06 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015 | 0.17 |
The correlation between QLC and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.26 (1 year) to 0.17 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QLC vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank
QLC
UGA
QLC vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and United States Gasoline Fund, LP (UGA). 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 | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.65 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.32 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.39 | 3.56 | -0.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.13 | 9.88 | +5.25 |
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Drawdowns
QLC vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QLC drawdown since its inception was -35.86%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLC and UGA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QLC | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.86% | -86.59% | +50.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.84% | -20.32% | +11.48% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.49% | -26.68% | +8.19% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.81% | -38.11% | +14.30% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.86% | -75.89% | +40.03% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -14.19% | +14.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.49% | -36.52% | +32.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.98% | 7.30% | -5.32% |
Volatility
QLC vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) is 3.89%, while United States Gasoline Fund, LP (UGA) has a volatility of 13.00%. This indicates that QLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QLC | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.89% | 13.00% | -9.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.51% | 32.31% | -21.80% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.30% | 36.60% | -23.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.94% | 34.73% | -17.79% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.41% | 37.32% | -18.91% |
QLC vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison
QLC has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 1.02% expense ratio.
Dividends
QLC vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison
QLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund, LP | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QLC and UGA have a correlation of -0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UGA has higher volatility (13.00%) compared to QLC (3.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLC dropped -35.86% vs UGA's -86.59%.
On 10-year performance, UGA leads with 16.34% vs 14.87% for QLC. 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, UGA has performed better with a 16.34% return vs 14.87%. 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 1.02% for UGA.
QLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.
QLC is categorized as Quality Factor, while UGA is Oil & Gas. QLC tracks Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index, while UGA tracks Near-Month NYMEX RBOB Gasoline Futures Contract. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and USCF. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for QLC and 1.02% for UGA.
QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.97), 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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