QLVE vs. OUSA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QLVE (FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and OUSA (OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF) are both Quality Factor funds - QLVE tracks the Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index while OUSA tracks the O'Shares US Quality Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLVE returned 7.60%/yr vs 8.87%/yr for OUSA. Their 0.52 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QLVE charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for OUSA.

Performance

QLVE vs. OUSA - 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 OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLVE achieves a 12.92% return, which is significantly higher than OUSA's 6.53% return.

QLVE

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.53%
• 6M: 7.16%
• YTD: 12.92%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 15.27%
• 5Y*: 7.60%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.66%

OUSA

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.87%
• 6M: 4.63%
• YTD: 6.53%
• 1Y: 15.60%
• 3Y*: 12.64%
• 5Y*: 8.87%
• 10Y*: 10.36%
• ALL TIME*: 10.68%

*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)
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	$914.72K	$1.31M	$1.45M
QLVE FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	$2.76K	$7.65K	$20.86K

QLVE vs. OUSA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QLVE FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	12.92%	21.87%	10.17%	8.53%	-13.10%	0.90%	4.16%	4.77%
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	6.53%	10.23%	17.09%	13.44%	-9.33%	23.75%	6.96%	6.45%

Correlation

The correlation between QLVE and OUSA is 0.22, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between QLVE and OUSA has dropped to 0.22 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QLVE vs. OUSA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLVE	OUSA
Technology	35.7%	23.7%
Financial Services	14.3%	18.6%
Communication Services	10.0%	10.3%
Energy	6.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	13.1%
Healthcare	4.8%	15.1%
Industrials	3.3%	11.9%
Utilities	2.7%	-
Basic Materials	1.9%	-
Real Estate	0.7%	-

Return for Risk

QLVE vs. OUSA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QLVE

QLVE Risk / Return Rank: 52
QLVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
QLVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
QLVE Omega Ratio Rank: 53
QLVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QLVE Martin Ratio Rank: 55

OUSA

OUSA Risk / Return Rank: 59
OUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
OUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
OUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
OUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
OUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

QLVE vs. OUSA - 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 OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA). 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.

	QLVE	OUSA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	1.46	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	2.22	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.26	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	1.78	+0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.52	6.23	+0.29

QLVE vs. OUSA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLVE Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is comparable to the OUSA Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLVE and OUSA, 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

QLVE vs. OUSA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLVE drawdown since its inception was -29.96%, smaller than the maximum OUSA drawdown of -33.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLVE and OUSA.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLVE	OUSA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.96%	-33.12%	+3.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.60%	-8.36%	-3.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.29%	-13.14%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.60%	-19.54%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.59%	-0.75%	-4.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.21%	-3.50%	-4.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.51%	2.39%	+1.12%

Volatility

QLVE vs. OUSA - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) has a higher volatility of 6.73% compared to OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA) at 4.00%. This indicates that QLVE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than OUSA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLVE	OUSA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.73%	4.00%	+2.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.12%	8.11%	+9.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.46%	10.27%	+9.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.20%	13.38%	+0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.14%	15.19%	+0.95%

QLVE vs. OUSA - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLVE has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than OUSA's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLVE vs. OUSA - Dividend Comparison

QLVE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, more than OUSA's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	1.36%	1.39%	1.50%	1.81%	1.92%	1.56%	2.03%	2.31%	3.06%	2.15%	2.32%	1.17%
QLVE FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	2.68%	3.14%	3.11%	3.00%	2.48%	2.57%	1.66%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLVE and OUSA in my portfolio?

QLVE and OUSA have a correlation of 0.22, 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 OUSA?

QLVE has higher volatility (6.73%) compared to OUSA (4.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLVE dropped -29.96% vs OUSA's -33.12%.

Which ETF is better, QLVE or OUSA?

On 5-year performance, OUSA leads with 8.87% vs 7.60% for QLVE. On fees, QLVE is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, OUSA has been the lower-risk option at 4.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLVE or OUSA?

Over the 5-year period, OUSA has performed better with a 8.87% return vs 7.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLVE or OUSA?

QLVE is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for OUSA.

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

QLVE has the higher dividend yield at 2.68%, compared with 1.36% for OUSA.

What is the main difference between QLVE and OUSA?

QLVE tracks Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index, while OUSA tracks O'Shares US Quality Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and O'Shares Investments. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for QLVE and 0.48% for OUSA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OUSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 vs 1.18), 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.