QLV vs. UGA
QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund, LP) are both exchange-traded funds - QLV is a Quality Factor fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Near-Month NYMEX RBOB Gasoline Futures Contract. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLV returned 10.05%/yr vs 25.31%/yr for UGA. Their 0.12 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. QLV charges 0.22%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for UGA.
Performance
QLV vs. UGA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QLV achieves a 9.55% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 80.98% 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%
UGA
- 1D
- -5.27%
- 1M
- 8.52%
- 6M
- 69.92%
- YTD
- 80.98%
- 1Y
- 78.20%
- 3Y*
- 16.66%
- 5Y*
- 25.31%
- 10Y*
- 16.82%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.51%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $571.44K | $481.55K | $516.78K | |
| $8.16M | $5.91M | $4.98M |
QLV vs. UGA - 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% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund, LP | 80.98% | -2.00% | 3.77% | 1.27% | 46.34% | 68.49% | -24.88% | 2.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between QLV and UGA is -0.20, 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. | -0.20 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.08 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.03 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019 | 0.12 |
The correlation between QLV and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (1 year) to 0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QLV vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank
QLV
UGA
QLV vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) 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.
| QLV | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.48 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.35 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.71 | 3.87 | -1.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.17 | 10.83 | +0.34 |
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Drawdowns
QLV vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QLV drawdown since its inception was -33.71%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLV and UGA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QLV | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.71% | -86.59% | +52.88% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.19% | -20.32% | +14.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.05% | -26.68% | +14.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.93% | -38.11% | +20.18% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -75.89% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -10.61% | +10.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.93% | -36.53% | +32.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.50% | 7.25% | -5.75% |
Volatility
QLV vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) is 2.30%, while United States Gasoline Fund, LP (UGA) has a volatility of 12.68%. This indicates that QLV 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
| QLV | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.30% | 12.68% | -10.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.98% | 32.51% | -26.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.88% | 36.42% | -28.54% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.64% | 34.68% | -22.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.43% | 37.30% | -20.87% |
QLV vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison
QLV has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 1.02% expense ratio.
Dividends
QLV vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison
QLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund | 1.52% | 1.60% | 1.66% | 1.60% | 1.74% | 0.96% | 1.24% | 0.58% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund, LP | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QLV and UGA have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UGA has higher volatility (12.68%) compared to QLV (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLV dropped -33.71% vs UGA's -86.59%.
On 5-year performance, UGA leads with 25.31% vs 10.05% for QLV. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, UGA has performed better with a 25.31% return vs 10.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 1.02% for UGA.
QLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.
QLV is categorized as Quality Factor, while UGA is Oil & Gas. QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility 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: 0.22% for QLV and 1.02% for UGA.
UGA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 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.
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