QLVD vs. SRHQ

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QLVD (FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and SRHQ (SRH U.S. Quality ETF) are both Quality Factor funds - QLVD tracks the Northern Trust Developed Markets ex US Quality Low Volatility Index while SRHQ tracks the SRH US Quality Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QLVD returned 13.56%/yr vs 17.26%/yr for SRHQ. Their 0.56 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QLVD charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SRHQ.

Performance

QLVD vs. SRHQ - 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 SRH U.S. Quality ETF (SRHQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLVD achieves a 9.60% return, which is significantly lower than SRHQ's 20.78% return.

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%

SRHQ

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 1.86%
• 6M: 18.75%
• YTD: 20.78%
• 1Y: 31.30%
• 3Y*: 17.26%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.88%

*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)
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	$72.57K	$53.92K	$58.06K
SRHQ SRH U.S. Quality ETF	$113.47K	$63.13K	$30.03K

QLVD vs. SRHQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.60%	24.21%	4.67%	11.57%	7.86%
SRHQ SRH U.S. Quality ETF	20.78%	7.34%	16.49%	21.81%	5.22%

Correlation

The correlation between QLVD and SRHQ is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2022	0.56

The correlation between QLVD and SRHQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

QLVD vs. SRHQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLVD	SRHQ
Financial Services	23.5%	10.2%
Industrials	14.7%	20.4%
Consumer Defensive	11.3%	5.2%
Healthcare	9.5%	21.4%
Utilities	7.3%	1.2%
Technology	6.7%	21.9%
Energy	5.4%	1.2%
Communication Services	5.3%	2.1%
Real Estate	5.0%	1.2%
Consumer Cyclical	4.3%	11.3%
Basic Materials	3.9%	2.7%

Return for Risk

QLVD vs. SRHQ — 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

SRHQ

SRHQ Risk / Return Rank: 87
SRHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
SRHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
SRHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SRHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SRHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. SRHQ - 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 SRH U.S. Quality ETF (SRHQ). 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	SRHQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.97	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.80	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.34	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	4.64	-2.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.52	16.85	-11.33

QLVD vs. SRHQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLVD Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the SRHQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLVD and SRHQ, 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. SRHQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLVD drawdown since its inception was -28.20%, which is greater than SRHQ's maximum drawdown of -18.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLVD and SRHQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLVD	SRHQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.20%	-18.50%	-9.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.15%	-6.31%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.18%	-18.50%	+9.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-1.47%	+0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.20%	-2.98%	-2.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	1.74%	+1.38%

Volatility

QLVD vs. SRHQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVD) is 2.93%, while SRH U.S. Quality ETF (SRHQ) has a volatility of 4.37%. This indicates that QLVD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SRHQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLVD	SRHQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	4.37%	-1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.77%	11.10%	-2.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.60%	14.90%	-4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.77%	15.96%	-4.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.90%	15.96%	-2.06%

QLVD vs. SRHQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLVD has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than SRHQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLVD vs. SRHQ - Dividend Comparison

QLVD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, more than SRHQ's 0.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
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%
SRHQ SRH U.S. Quality ETF	0.69%	0.76%	0.66%	0.84%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLVD and SRHQ in my portfolio?

QLVD and SRHQ have a correlation of 0.49, 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 SRHQ?

SRHQ has higher volatility (4.37%) compared to QLVD (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLVD dropped -28.20% vs SRHQ's -18.50%.

Which ETF is better, QLVD or SRHQ?

On 3-year performance, SRHQ leads with 17.26% vs 13.56% for QLVD. On fees, QLVD is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, QLVD has been the lower-risk option at 2.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLVD or SRHQ?

Over the 3-year period, SRHQ has performed better with a 17.26% return vs 13.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLVD or SRHQ?

QLVD is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SRHQ.

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

QLVD has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 0.69% for SRHQ.

What is the main difference between QLVD and SRHQ?

QLVD tracks Northern Trust Developed Markets ex US Quality Low Volatility Index, while SRHQ tracks SRH US Quality Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and SRH. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for QLVD and 0.35% for SRHQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SRHQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 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.