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QLV vs. XSLV
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

QLV vs. XSLV

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) and Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV).

QLV and XSLV are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. QLV is a passively managed fund by Northern Trust that tracks the performance of the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. It was launched on Jul 15, 2019. XSLV is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Low Volatility Index. It was launched on Feb 15, 2013. Both QLV and XSLV are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

QLV vs. XSLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) and Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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QLV vs. XSLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
QLV
FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund		0.10%12.28%18.08%13.71%-9.97%26.08%9.63%6.24%
XSLV
Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF		2.45%0.31%9.81%1.34%-11.83%29.34%-17.40%7.21%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLV achieves a 0.10% return, which is significantly lower than XSLV's 2.45% return.

QLV

1D
1.54%
1M
-3.92%
YTD
0.10%
6M
0.74%
1Y
10.86%
3Y*
13.76%
5Y*
10.52%
10Y*
—

XSLV

1D
0.76%
1M
-3.66%
YTD
2.45%
6M
3.26%
1Y
5.07%
3Y*
6.15%
5Y*
2.68%
10Y*
5.46%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

Often compared with QLV:
QLV vs. XRLVQLV vs. IUSQLV vs. USMVQLV vs. VOOQLV vs. PBJQLV vs. VMVFXQLV vs. ^GSPC
Often compared with XSLV:
XSLV vs. SMLVXSLV vs. SPYXSLV vs. VOOXSLV vs. VBRXSLV vs. FSPGXXSLV vs. USMVXSLV vs. FTBFX

QLV vs. XSLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLV has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than XSLV's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

XSLV
Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF
QLV
FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund

Return for Risk

QLV vs. XSLV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QLV
QLV Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
QLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4848
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
QLV Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
QLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 4747
Calmar Ratio Rank
QLV Martin Ratio Rank: 6363
Martin Ratio Rank
XSLV
XSLV Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
XSLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2222
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XSLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
XSLV Omega Ratio Rank: 2020
Omega Ratio Rank
XSLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 2424
Calmar Ratio Rank
XSLV Martin Ratio Rank: 2525
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

QLV vs. XSLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) and Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV). 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.

QLVXSLVDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.86

0.32

+0.54

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.31

0.58

+0.73

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.19

1.07

+0.13

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.19

0.53

+0.66

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

6.18

1.83

+4.36

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QLV vs. XSLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLV Sharpe Ratio is 0.86, which is higher than the XSLV Sharpe Ratio of 0.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLV and XSLV, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

QLVXSLVDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.86

0.32

+0.54

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.83

0.16

+0.67

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.27

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.65

0.40

+0.25

Correlation

The correlation between QLV and XSLV is 0.70, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

QLV vs. XSLV - Dividend Comparison

QLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.60%, less than XSLV's 2.70% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
QLV
FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund		1.60%1.60%1.66%1.60%1.74%0.96%1.24%0.58%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
XSLV
Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF		2.70%2.14%2.55%2.35%2.78%1.05%2.49%2.43%2.75%1.87%1.96%2.20%

Drawdowns

QLV vs. XSLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLV drawdown since its inception was -33.71%, smaller than the maximum XSLV drawdown of -44.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLV and XSLV.

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Drawdown Indicators

QLVXSLVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-33.71%

-44.34%

+10.63%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.75%

-11.26%

+1.51%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.93%

-24.72%

+6.79%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-44.34%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.29%

-5.25%

+0.96%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.08%

-7.37%

+3.29%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.88%

3.25%

-1.37%

Volatility

QLV vs. XSLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) is 3.18%, while Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) has a volatility of 3.54%. This indicates that QLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XSLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QLVXSLVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.18%

3.54%

-0.36%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

5.81%

8.88%

-3.07%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.74%

15.88%

-3.14%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

12.73%

16.68%

-3.95%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.75%

19.93%

-3.18%