QLVD vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QLVD (FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QLVD is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Northern Trust Developed Markets ex US Quality Low Volatility Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLVD returned 5.83%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QLVD charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

QLVD vs. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLVD achieves a 2.66% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

QLVD

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: -0.67%
• YTD: 2.66%
• 6M: 4.87%
• 1Y: 7.04%
• 3Y*: 11.60%
• 5Y*: 5.83%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QLVD vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	2.66%	24.21%	4.67%	11.57%	-12.09%	9.04%	3.00%	6.35%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	8.39%

Correlation

The correlation between QLVD and SPY is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019	0.68

The correlation between QLVD and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.68 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QLVD vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLVD	SPY
Financial Services	24.3%	11.8%
Industrials	15.3%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	11.3%	4.8%
Healthcare	10.6%	8.4%
Utilities	7.9%	2.4%
Communication Services	6.7%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	5.5%	10.3%
Real Estate	5.3%	1.9%
Technology	5.0%	35.9%
Basic Materials	4.3%	1.8%
Energy	3.9%	3.6%

Return for Risk

QLVD vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

QLVD

QLVD Risk / Return Rank: 20
QLVD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
QLVD Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
QLVD Omega Ratio Rank: 19
QLVD Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
QLVD Martin Ratio Rank: 21

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

QLVD vs. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	QLVD	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.67	2.38	-1.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.01	3.24	-2.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.43	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.87	3.16	-2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.58	14.72	-12.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QLVD vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLVD Sharpe Ratio is 0.67, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLVD and SPY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QLVD	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67	2.38	-1.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.82	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.59	-0.10

Drawdowns

QLVD vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLVD drawdown since its inception was -28.20%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLVD and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLVD	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.20%	-55.19%	+26.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.15%	-8.88%	+0.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.24%	-18.76%	+9.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.99%	-24.50%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.19%	-0.70%	-5.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.24%	-9.05%	+3.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	1.91%	+0.83%

Volatility

QLVD vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVD) has a higher volatility of 3.02% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that QLVD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLVD	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.02%	2.84%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.28%	8.90%	-0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.52%	11.83%	-1.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.73%	17.05%	-5.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.97%	17.94%	-3.97%

QLVD vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLVD has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLVD vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

QLVD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.78%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	2.78%	2.87%	3.01%	3.33%	2.47%	3.06%	1.78%	1.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLVD and SPY in my portfolio?

QLVD and SPY have a correlation of 0.53, 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 SPY?

QLVD has higher volatility (3.02%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLVD dropped -28.20% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, QLVD or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.83% vs 5.83% for QLVD. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLVD or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.83% return vs 5.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLVD or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for QLVD.

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

QLVD has the higher dividend yield at 2.78%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between QLVD and SPY?

QLVD is categorized as Volatility Hedged Equity, while SPY is S&P 500. QLVD tracks Northern Trust Developed Markets ex US Quality Low Volatility Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for QLVD and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.67), 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.