QLVD vs. VFQY

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QLVD (FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and VFQY (Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. QLVD is passively managed, while VFQY is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLVD returned 7.19%/yr vs 8.92%/yr for VFQY. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QLVD charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VFQY.

Performance

QLVD vs. VFQY - 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 Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY). 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 VFQY's 13.01% 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%

VFQY

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 1.15%
• 6M: 10.45%
• YTD: 13.01%
• 1Y: 22.01%
• 3Y*: 14.60%
• 5Y*: 8.92%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.49%

*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
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	$877.35K	$995.36K	$1.05M

QLVD vs. VFQY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QLVD FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.60%	24.21%	4.67%	11.57%	-12.09%	9.04%	3.00%	6.26%
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	13.01%	10.24%	12.93%	22.48%	-15.74%	27.96%	16.97%	8.23%

Correlation

The correlation between QLVD and VFQY is 0.57, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019	0.67

The correlation between QLVD and VFQY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

QLVD vs. VFQY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLVD	VFQY
Financial Services	23.5%	18.9%
Industrials	14.7%	16.8%
Consumer Defensive	11.3%	9.2%
Healthcare	9.5%	8.9%
Utilities	7.3%	-
Technology	6.7%	25.8%
Energy	5.4%	2.2%
Communication Services	5.3%	2.8%
Real Estate	5.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.3%	13.3%
Basic Materials	3.9%	2.2%

Return for Risk

QLVD vs. VFQY — 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

VFQY

VFQY Risk / Return Rank: 67
VFQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VFQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFQY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VFQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VFQY Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. VFQY - 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 Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY). 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	VFQY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.54	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.25	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.27	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	2.26	-0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.52	8.53	-3.01

QLVD vs. VFQY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLVD Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the VFQY Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLVD and VFQY, 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. VFQY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLVD drawdown since its inception was -28.20%, smaller than the maximum VFQY drawdown of -37.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLVD and VFQY.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLVD	VFQY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.20%	-37.41%	+9.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.15%	-9.12%	+0.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.18%	-20.67%	+11.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.99%	-25.93%	+1.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-0.61%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.20%	-6.57%	+1.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	2.41%	+0.71%

Volatility

QLVD vs. VFQY - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVD) and Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) have volatilities of 2.93% and 2.96%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLVD	VFQY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	2.96%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.77%	9.55%	-0.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.60%	13.41%	-2.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.77%	18.28%	-6.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.90%	20.73%	-6.83%

QLVD vs. VFQY - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLVD has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VFQY's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLVD vs. VFQY - Dividend Comparison

QLVD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, more than VFQY's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%	0.00%
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	1.04%	1.17%	1.34%	1.38%	1.43%	0.98%	1.22%	1.34%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLVD and VFQY in my portfolio?

QLVD and VFQY have a correlation of 0.57, 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 VFQY?

VFQY has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to QLVD (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLVD dropped -28.20% vs VFQY's -37.41%.

Which ETF is better, QLVD or VFQY?

On 5-year performance, VFQY leads with 8.92% vs 7.19% for QLVD. On fees, VFQY is cheaper at 0.13% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLVD or VFQY?

Over the 5-year period, VFQY has performed better with a 8.92% return vs 7.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLVD or VFQY?

VFQY is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for QLVD.

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

QLVD has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 1.04% for VFQY.

What is the main difference between QLVD and VFQY?

They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for QLVD and 0.13% for VFQY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLVD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.54), 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.