QLTY vs. QDEF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QLTY (GMO U.S. Quality ETF) and QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - QLTY tracks the S&P 500 while QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QLTY returned 25.15% vs 20.97% for QDEF. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QLTY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDEF.

Performance

QLTY vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GMO U.S. Quality ETF (QLTY) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLTY achieves a 9.02% return, which is significantly lower than QDEF's 10.48% return.

QLTY

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 0.19%
• 6M: 6.82%
• YTD: 9.02%
• 1Y: 25.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.22%

QDEF

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.68%
• 6M: 8.64%
• YTD: 10.48%
• 1Y: 20.97%
• 3Y*: 17.66%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 12.14%
• ALL TIME*: 12.72%

*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)
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	$546.87K	$522.47K	$732.31K
QLTY GMO U.S. Quality ETF	$14.32M	$16.07M	$19.07M

QLTY vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QLTY GMO U.S. Quality ETF	9.02%	21.26%	21.02%	5.25%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	10.48%	17.43%	21.19%	5.20%

Correlation

The correlation between QLTY and QDEF is 0.84, 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.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2023	0.87

The correlation between QLTY and QDEF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

QLTY vs. QDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLTY	QDEF
Technology	39.6%	35.6%
Healthcare	22.6%	10.5%
Communication Services	11.0%	5.8%
Financial Services	8.1%	11.7%
Consumer Defensive	7.3%	7.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.0%	7.3%
Industrials	4.5%	5.5%
Basic Materials	-	3.5%
Energy	-	4.2%
Real Estate	-	3.9%
Utilities	-	3.6%

Return for Risk

QLTY vs. QDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLTY

QLTY Risk / Return Rank: 73
QLTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QLTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
QLTY Omega Ratio Rank: 78
QLTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
QLTY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 85
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

QLTY vs. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GMO U.S. Quality ETF (QLTY) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). 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.

	QLTY	QDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	2.07	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.94	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.38	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	2.93	-0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.13	12.20	-4.06

QLTY vs. QDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLTY Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the QDEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLTY and QDEF, 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

QLTY vs. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLTY drawdown since its inception was -17.00%, smaller than the maximum QDEF drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLTY and QDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLTY	QDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.00%	-35.74%	+18.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.71%	-6.95%	-4.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.43%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.37%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-0.58%	+0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.00%	-3.27%	+1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	1.67%	+1.23%

Volatility

QLTY vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison

GMO U.S. Quality ETF (QLTY) has a higher volatility of 2.90% compared to FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) at 2.29%. This indicates that QLTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLTY	QDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	2.29%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.63%	7.47%	+2.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.76%	9.85%	+2.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.52%	13.77%	+0.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.52%	16.14%	-1.62%

QLTY vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLTY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than QDEF's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLTY vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison

QLTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, less than QDEF's 1.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	1.58%	1.74%	1.85%	2.21%	2.42%	1.84%	2.50%	3.17%	7.10%	2.70%	2.90%	3.00%
QLTY GMO U.S. Quality ETF	0.72%	0.73%	0.79%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLTY and QDEF in my portfolio?

QLTY and QDEF have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QLTY or QDEF?

QLTY has higher volatility (2.90%) compared to QDEF (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLTY dropped -17.00% vs QDEF's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, QLTY or QDEF?

On 1-year performance, QLTY leads with 25.15% vs 20.97% for QDEF. On fees, QDEF is cheaper at 0.37% per year. On volatility, QDEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLTY or QDEF?

Over the 1-year period, QLTY has performed better with a 25.15% return vs 20.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLTY or QDEF?

QDEF is cheaper with a 0.37% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for QLTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QLTY or QDEF?

QDEF has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 0.72% for QLTY.

What is the main difference between QLTY and QDEF?

QLTY tracks S&P 500, while QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. They also come from different issuers: GMO and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for QLTY and 0.37% for QDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.86), 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.