QLV vs. QDEF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - QLV tracks the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index while QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLV returned 10.05%/yr vs 12.40%/yr for QDEF. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QLV charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDEF.

Performance

QLV vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) 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, QLV achieves a 9.55% return, which is significantly lower than QDEF's 10.91% return.

QLV

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 1.91%
• 6M: 6.89%
• YTD: 9.55%
• 1Y: 16.70%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 10.05%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.67%

QDEF

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 2.07%
• 6M: 8.51%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 1Y: 21.44%
• 3Y*: 18.49%
• 5Y*: 12.40%
• 10Y*: 12.03%
• ALL TIME*: 12.74%

*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	$574.46K	$566.98K	$752.75K
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	$571.44K	$481.55K	$516.78K

QLV vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.55%	12.28%	18.08%	13.71%	-9.97%	26.08%	9.63%	5.97%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	10.91%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	6.13%

Correlation

The correlation between QLV and QDEF is 0.82, 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.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019	0.93

The correlation between QLV and QDEF shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (1 year) to 0.93 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QLV vs. QDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLV	QDEF
Technology	30.2%	35.6%
Healthcare	14.1%	10.5%
Financial Services	12.3%	11.7%
Consumer Defensive	7.8%	7.3%
Communication Services	7.4%	5.8%
Energy	6.5%	4.2%
Utilities	6.4%	3.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	7.3%
Industrials	6.3%	5.5%
Real Estate	1.4%	3.9%
Basic Materials	1.3%	3.5%

Return for Risk

QLV vs. QDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLV

QLV Risk / Return Rank: 83
QLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
QLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
QLV Omega Ratio Rank: 85
QLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
QLV Martin Ratio Rank: 81

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 86
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 88
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.

QLV vs. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) 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.

	QLV	QDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	2.19	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	3.10	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.41	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	3.10	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.17	12.91	-1.74

QLV vs. QDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLV Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the QDEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLV 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

QLV vs. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLV drawdown since its inception was -33.71%, smaller than the maximum QDEF drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLV and QDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLV	QDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.71%	-35.74%	+2.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.19%	-6.95%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.05%	-14.43%	+2.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.93%	-21.37%	+3.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.19%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.93%	-3.27%	-0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.50%	1.66%	-0.16%

Volatility

QLV vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) have volatilities of 2.30% and 2.23%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLV	QDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.30%	2.23%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.98%	7.47%	-1.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.88%	9.84%	-1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.64%	13.77%	-1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.43%	16.14%	+0.29%

QLV vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLV has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than QDEF's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLV vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison

QLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, less than QDEF's 1.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	1.57%	1.74%	1.85%	2.21%	2.42%	1.84%	2.50%	3.17%	7.10%	2.70%	2.90%	3.00%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	1.52%	1.60%	1.66%	1.60%	1.74%	0.96%	1.24%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLV and QDEF in my portfolio?

QLV and QDEF have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QLV or QDEF?

QLV has higher volatility (2.30%) compared to QDEF (2.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLV dropped -33.71% vs QDEF's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, QLV or QDEF?

On 5-year performance, QDEF leads with 12.40% vs 10.05% for QLV. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLV or QDEF?

Over the 5-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 12.40% return vs 10.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLV or QDEF?

QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDEF.

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

QDEF has the higher dividend yield at 1.57%, compared with 1.52% for QLV.

What is the main difference between QLV and QDEF?

QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index, while QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for QLV and 0.37% for QDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 2.13), 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.