QLVE vs. LVHD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QLVE (FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and LVHD (Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF) are both Volatility Hedged Equity funds - QLVE tracks the Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index while LVHD tracks the QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLVE returned 7.43%/yr vs 6.06%/yr for LVHD. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QLVE charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for LVHD.

Performance

QLVE vs. LVHD - 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 Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLVE achieves a 18.06% return, which is significantly higher than LVHD's 6.72% return.

QLVE

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 7.29%
• YTD: 18.06%
• 6M: 19.74%
• 1Y: 34.41%
• 3Y*: 18.46%
• 5Y*: 7.43%
• 10Y*: —

LVHD

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -1.27%
• YTD: 6.72%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 9.60%
• 3Y*: 9.33%
• 5Y*: 6.06%
• 10Y*: 8.03%

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

QLVE vs. LVHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QLVE FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	18.06%	21.87%	10.17%	8.53%	-13.10%	0.90%	4.16%	4.98%
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	6.72%	7.50%	10.18%	-0.95%	-1.82%	26.90%	-1.28%	6.50%

Correlation

The correlation between QLVE and LVHD is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019	0.36

Over the past year, the correlation between QLVE and LVHD has dropped to 0.08 - well below their long-term average of 0.36, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QLVE vs. LVHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLVE	LVHD
Technology	59.6%	5.9%
Financial Services	38.5%	8.6%
Communication Services	18.4%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	10.8%	18.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	6.8%
Healthcare	7.6%	4.6%
Energy	7.2%	6.7%
Industrials	7.1%	4.6%
Basic Materials	5.5%	-
Utilities	5.4%	25.5%
Real Estate	0.1%	15.0%

Return for Risk

QLVE vs. LVHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLVE

QLVE Risk / Return Rank: 64
QLVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
QLVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
QLVE Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QLVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QLVE Martin Ratio Rank: 66

LVHD

LVHD Risk / Return Rank: 28
LVHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
LVHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
LVHD Omega Ratio Rank: 25
LVHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
LVHD Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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. LVHD - 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 Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD). 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.

	QLVE	LVHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.01	+1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	1.51	+1.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.17	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	1.56	+1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.97	3.98	+7.99
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. LVHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLVE Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the LVHD Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLVE and LVHD, 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

	QLVE	LVHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	1.01	+1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.47	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.56	-0.08

Drawdowns

QLVE vs. LVHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLVE drawdown since its inception was -29.96%, smaller than the maximum LVHD drawdown of -37.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLVE and LVHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLVE	LVHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.96%	-37.32%	+7.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.60%	-6.17%	-5.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.29%	-14.29%	+1.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.94%	-16.75%	-7.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.32%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.29%	-4.84%	+3.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.29%	-4.05%	-4.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	2.42%	+0.46%

Volatility

QLVE vs. LVHD - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) has a higher volatility of 6.82% compared to Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) at 2.86%. This indicates that QLVE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LVHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLVE	LVHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.82%	2.86%	+3.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.82%	6.64%	+8.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.46%	9.52%	+6.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.48%	12.87%	+0.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.79%	15.50%	+0.29%

QLVE vs. LVHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLVE has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than LVHD's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLVE vs. LVHD - Dividend Comparison

QLVE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.42%, less than LVHD's 3.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	3.40%	3.35%	4.23%	3.55%	3.30%	2.56%	3.27%	3.30%	3.82%	3.33%	2.48%
QLVE FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	2.42%	3.14%	3.11%	3.00%	2.48%	2.57%	1.66%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLVE and LVHD in my portfolio?

QLVE and LVHD have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QLVE or LVHD?

QLVE has higher volatility (6.82%) compared to LVHD (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLVE dropped -29.96% vs LVHD's -37.32%.

Which ETF is better, QLVE or LVHD?

On 5-year performance, QLVE leads with 7.43% vs 6.06% for LVHD. On fees, LVHD is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, LVHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLVE or LVHD?

Over the 5-year period, QLVE has performed better with a 7.43% return vs 6.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLVE or LVHD?

LVHD is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for QLVE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QLVE or LVHD?

LVHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 2.42% for QLVE.

What is the main difference between QLVE and LVHD?

QLVE tracks Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index, while LVHD tracks QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for QLVE and 0.27% for LVHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLVE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.01), 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.