PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
QLVE vs. GEM
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

QLVE vs. GEM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) and Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM).

QLVE and GEM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. QLVE is a passively managed fund by Northern Trust that tracks the performance of the Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index. It was launched on Jul 15, 2019. GEM is a passively managed fund by Goldman Sachs that tracks the performance of the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index. It was launched on Sep 29, 2015. Both QLVE and GEM 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

QLVE vs. GEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) and Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

QLVE vs. GEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
QLVE
FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund		0.96%21.87%10.17%8.53%-13.10%0.90%4.16%4.98%
GEM
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF		3.80%33.43%6.66%11.82%-21.33%-0.19%13.23%6.08%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLVE achieves a 0.96% return, which is significantly lower than GEM's 3.80% return.

QLVE

1D
3.42%
1M
-7.54%
YTD
0.96%
6M
4.33%
1Y
20.33%
3Y*
12.69%
5Y*
4.43%
10Y*
—

GEM

1D
3.52%
1M
-9.22%
YTD
3.80%
6M
8.54%
1Y
33.24%
3Y*
15.80%
5Y*
4.48%
10Y*
7.72%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund

Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF

Often compared with QLVE:
QLVE vs. FEMVXQLVE vs. IBDQLVE vs. SCHYQLVE vs. VWOQLVE vs. SCHEQLVE vs. FDEMQLVE vs. EFAV
Often compared with GEM:
GEM vs. VWOGEM vs. IEMGGEM vs. SPYGEM vs. JPEMGEM vs. SPMOGEM vs. SPEMGEM vs. SCHE

QLVE vs. GEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLVE has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than GEM's 0.45% expense ratio.

GEM
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF
QLVE
FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund

Return for Risk

QLVE vs. GEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QLVE
QLVE Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QLVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QLVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 7373
Sortino Ratio Rank
QLVE Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
QLVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
QLVE Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
Martin Ratio Rank
GEM
GEM Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
GEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8585
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
GEM Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
GEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
GEM Martin Ratio Rank: 8484
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.

QLVE vs. GEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) and Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM). 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.

QLVEGEMDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.26

1.70

-0.44

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.83

2.32

-0.49

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.33

-0.07

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.79

2.44

-0.65

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

7.57

9.52

-1.96

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

QLVE vs. GEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLVE Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is comparable to the GEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLVE and GEM, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

QLVEGEMDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.26

1.70

-0.44

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.34

0.26

+0.08

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.41

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.34

0.43

-0.09

Correlation

The correlation between QLVE and GEM is 0.93, 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

QLVE vs. GEM - Dividend Comparison

QLVE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.83%, more than GEM's 2.22% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
QLVE
FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund		2.83%3.14%3.11%3.00%2.48%2.57%1.66%1.27%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
GEM
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF		2.22%2.30%2.58%2.97%2.96%3.00%1.63%3.13%2.08%1.81%1.98%0.25%

Drawdowns

QLVE vs. GEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLVE drawdown since its inception was -29.96%, smaller than the maximum GEM drawdown of -37.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLVE and GEM.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

QLVEGEMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-29.96%

-37.02%

+7.06%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.60%

-13.50%

+1.90%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.04%

-35.50%

+11.46%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-37.02%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-8.57%

-10.45%

+1.88%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.45%

-12.17%

+3.72%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.74%

3.45%

-0.71%

Volatility

QLVE vs. GEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) is 8.82%, while Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) has a volatility of 10.14%. This indicates that QLVE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

QLVEGEMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.82%

10.14%

-1.32%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.06%

14.56%

-1.50%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.25%

19.68%

-3.43%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.09%

17.19%

-4.10%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.62%

18.80%

-3.18%