QLV vs. TDTF
QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and TDTF (FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index, while TDTF is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLV returned 10.73%/yr vs 1.72%/yr for TDTF. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QLV charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for TDTF.
Performance
QLV vs. TDTF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QLV achieves a 5.48% return, which is significantly higher than TDTF's 1.52% return.
QLV
- 1D
- -0.51%
- 1M
- 2.14%
- YTD
- 5.48%
- 6M
- 5.38%
- 1Y
- 14.06%
- 3Y*
- 15.15%
- 5Y*
- 10.73%
- 10Y*
- —
TDTF
- 1D
- -0.13%
- 1M
- -0.44%
- YTD
- 1.52%
- 6M
- 1.18%
- 1Y
- 5.07%
- 3Y*
- 4.56%
- 5Y*
- 1.72%
- 10Y*
- 2.93%
QLV vs. TDTF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund | 5.48% | 12.28% | 18.08% | 13.71% | -9.97% | 26.08% | 9.63% | 6.24% |
TDTF FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund | 1.52% | 7.83% | 2.40% | 4.10% | -9.73% | 5.54% | 9.98% | 1.59% |
Correlation
The correlation between QLV and TDTF is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019 | 0.17 |
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Return for Risk
QLV vs. TDTF — Risk / Return Rank
QLV
TDTF
QLV vs. TDTF - 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 iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (TDTF). 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.
| QLV | TDTF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.85 | 1.67 | +0.18 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.68 | 2.55 | +0.13 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.30 | +0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.28 | 3.22 | -0.94 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.69 | 10.66 | -0.97 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QLV | TDTF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.85 | 1.67 | +0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 | 0.30 | +0.55 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.58 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.69 | 0.47 | +0.22 |
Drawdowns
QLV vs. TDTF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QLV drawdown since its inception was -33.71%, which is greater than TDTF's maximum drawdown of -12.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLV and TDTF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QLV | TDTF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.71% | -12.02% | -21.69% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.19% | -1.58% | -4.61% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.05% | -3.79% | -8.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.93% | -12.02% | -5.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -12.02% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.81% | -0.57% | -0.24% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.00% | -2.91% | -1.09% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.45% | 0.48% | +0.97% |
Volatility
QLV vs. TDTF - Volatility Comparison
FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) has a higher volatility of 1.61% compared to FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (TDTF) at 0.73%. This indicates that QLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TDTF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QLV | TDTF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.61% | 0.73% | +0.88% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.34% | 1.97% | +3.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.65% | 3.06% | +4.59% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.64% | 5.69% | +6.95% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.57% | 5.07% | +11.50% |
QLV vs. TDTF - Expense Ratio Comparison
QLV has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is higher than TDTF's 0.18% 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
QLV vs. TDTF - Dividend Comparison
QLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, less than TDTF's 4.71% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
TDTF FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund | 4.71% | 4.58% | 3.98% | 3.97% | 7.60% | 4.55% | 1.13% | 1.80% | 2.60% | 2.20% | 1.51% | 0.21% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QLV and TDTF have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QLV has higher volatility (1.61%) compared to TDTF (0.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLV dropped -33.71% vs TDTF's -12.02%.
On 5-year performance, QLV leads with 10.73% vs 1.72% for TDTF. On fees, TDTF is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, TDTF has been the lower-risk option at 0.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, QLV has performed better with a 10.73% return vs 1.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
TDTF is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for QLV.
TDTF has the higher dividend yield at 4.71%, compared with 1.52% for QLV.
QLV is categorized as Volatility Hedged Equity, while TDTF is Inflation-Protected Bonds. QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index, while TDTF tracks iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for QLV and 0.18% for TDTF.
QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.67), 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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