QLC vs. USMV

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - QLC tracks the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index while USMV tracks the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QLC returned 14.70%/yr vs 9.39%/yr for USMV. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QLC charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USMV.

Performance

QLC vs. USMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLC achieves a 13.18% return, which is significantly higher than USMV's 2.79% return. Over the past 10 years, QLC has outperformed USMV with an annualized return of 14.70%, while USMV has yielded a comparatively lower 9.39% annualized return.

QLC

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 1.08%
• 6M: 11.73%
• YTD: 13.18%
• 1Y: 29.23%
• 3Y*: 23.84%
• 5Y*: 15.13%
• 10Y*: 14.70%

USMV

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: -0.26%
• 6M: 2.28%
• YTD: 2.79%
• 1Y: 5.84%
• 3Y*: 10.77%
• 5Y*: 6.73%
• 10Y*: 9.39%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QLC vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	13.18%	23.26%	26.71%	26.02%	-17.21%	28.46%	13.64%	24.51%	-8.12%	21.73%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	2.79%	7.65%	15.74%	10.33%	-9.43%	20.85%	5.64%	27.69%	1.33%	18.91%

Correlation

The correlation between QLC and USMV is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between QLC and USMV has dropped to 0.46 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QLC vs. USMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLC	USMV
Technology	37.8%	33.9%
Financial Services	13.2%	11.7%
Communication Services	13.0%	6.2%
Healthcare	9.6%	12.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	5.7%
Industrials	6.3%	6.1%
Utilities	3.1%	6.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	9.4%
Real Estate	2.1%	2.5%
Basic Materials	2.0%	2.4%
Energy	2.0%	2.7%

Return for Risk

QLC vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

QLC

QLC Risk / Return Rank: 85
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 85
QLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
QLC Martin Ratio Rank: 88

USMV

USMV Risk / Return Rank: 24
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 21
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 27

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

QLC vs. USMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). 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	USMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	0.69	+1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	1.03	+2.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.12	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	0.91	+2.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.94	2.96	+11.98

QLC vs. USMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLC Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is higher than the USMV Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLC and USMV, 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. USMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLC drawdown since its inception was -35.86%, which is greater than USMV's maximum drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLC and USMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLC	USMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.86%	-33.10%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-6.46%	-2.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.49%	-9.36%	-9.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.81%	-17.93%	-5.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.86%	-33.10%	-2.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.30%	+2.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.50%	-2.87%	-1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.96%	1.98%	-0.02%

Volatility

QLC vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) has a higher volatility of 3.47% compared to iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) at 2.86%. This indicates that QLC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLC	USMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.47%	2.86%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.35%	6.35%	+4.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.98%	8.55%	+4.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.92%	12.37%	+4.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.38%	14.50%	+3.88%

QLC vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLC has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than USMV's 0.15% 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. USMV - Dividend Comparison

QLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than USMV's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	0.92%	0.94%	1.03%	1.26%	1.46%	0.96%	1.40%	1.91%	1.82%	1.29%	1.80%	0.64%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	1.50%	1.49%	1.67%	1.82%	1.62%	1.26%	1.81%	1.88%	2.12%	1.77%	2.22%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLC and USMV in my portfolio?

QLC and USMV have a correlation of 0.46, 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 USMV?

QLC has higher volatility (3.47%) compared to USMV (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLC dropped -35.86% vs USMV's -33.10%.

Which ETF is better, QLC or USMV?

On 10-year performance, QLC leads with 14.70% vs 9.39% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, USMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLC or USMV?

Over the 10-year period, QLC has performed better with a 14.70% return vs 9.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLC or USMV?

USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for QLC.

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

USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 0.92% for QLC.

What is the main difference between QLC and USMV?

QLC tracks Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index, while USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for QLC and 0.15% for USMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 0.69), 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.