QLVD vs. GQI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QLVD (FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and GQI (Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. QLVD is passively managed, while GQI is actively managed. Over the past year, QLVD returned 16.16% vs 22.33% for GQI. Their 0.47 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. QLVD charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for GQI.

Performance

QLVD vs. GQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVD) and Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF (GQI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with QLVD having a 9.60% return and GQI slightly higher at 9.82%.

QLVD

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 3.92%
• 6M: 7.11%
• YTD: 9.60%
• 1Y: 16.16%
• 3Y*: 13.56%
• 5Y*: 7.19%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.53%

GQI

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 1.51%
• 6M: 7.93%
• YTD: 9.82%
• 1Y: 22.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.45%

*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)
GQI Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF	$866.96K	$1.04M	$2.05M
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	$72.57K	$53.92K	$58.06K

QLVD vs. GQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.60%	24.21%	4.67%	2.39%
GQI Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF	9.82%	15.36%	15.99%	1.60%

Correlation

The correlation between QLVD and GQI is 0.45, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2023	0.47

QLVD vs. GQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLVD	GQI
Financial Services	23.5%	9.9%
Industrials	14.7%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	11.3%	6.1%
Healthcare	9.5%	10.9%
Utilities	7.3%	0.6%
Technology	6.7%	37.9%
Energy	5.4%	3.9%
Communication Services	5.3%	10.3%
Real Estate	5.0%	0.4%
Consumer Cyclical	4.3%	11.0%
Basic Materials	3.9%	0.7%

Return for Risk

QLVD vs. GQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLVD

QLVD Risk / Return Rank: 65
QLVD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QLVD Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
QLVD Omega Ratio Rank: 71
QLVD Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QLVD Martin Ratio Rank: 48

GQI

GQI Risk / Return Rank: 86
GQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
GQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
GQI Omega Ratio Rank: 86
GQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
GQI Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

QLVD vs. GQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVD) and Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF (GQI). 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.

	QLVD	GQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	2.07	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.92	-0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.38	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	2.98	-0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.52	15.46	-9.94

QLVD vs. GQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLVD Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the GQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLVD and GQI, 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

QLVD vs. GQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLVD drawdown since its inception was -28.20%, which is greater than GQI's maximum drawdown of -16.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLVD and GQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLVD	GQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.20%	-16.56%	-11.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.15%	-6.96%	-1.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.18%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-0.12%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.20%	-1.62%	-3.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	1.34%	+1.78%

Volatility

QLVD vs. GQI - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVD) has a higher volatility of 2.93% compared to Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF (GQI) at 2.49%. This indicates that QLVD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLVD	GQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	2.49%	+0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.77%	7.65%	+1.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.60%	9.99%	+0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.77%	13.01%	-1.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.90%	13.01%	+0.89%

QLVD vs. GQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLVD has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than GQI's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLVD vs. GQI - Dividend Comparison

QLVD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, less than GQI's 8.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GQI Natixis Gateway Quality Income ETF	7.83%	8.97%	7.77%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	2.93%	2.87%	3.01%	3.33%	2.47%	3.06%	1.78%	1.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLVD and GQI in my portfolio?

QLVD and GQI have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QLVD or GQI?

QLVD has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to GQI (2.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLVD dropped -28.20% vs GQI's -16.56%.

Which ETF is better, QLVD or GQI?

On 1-year performance, GQI leads with 22.33% vs 16.16% for QLVD. On fees, QLVD is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, GQI has been the lower-risk option at 2.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLVD or GQI?

Over the 1-year period, GQI has performed better with a 22.33% return vs 16.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLVD or GQI?

QLVD is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for GQI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QLVD or GQI?

GQI has the higher dividend yield at 7.83%, compared with 2.93% for QLVD.

What is the main difference between QLVD and GQI?

They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Natixis. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for QLVD and 0.34% for GQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.63), 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.