QLVE vs. SMLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QLVE (FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) and SMLV (SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF) are both Volatility Hedged Equity funds - QLVE tracks the Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index while SMLV tracks the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLVE returned 7.43%/yr vs 7.75%/yr for SMLV. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QLVE charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for SMLV.

Performance

QLVE vs. SMLV - 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 SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). 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 SMLV's 12.88% return.

QLVE

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

SMLV

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 12.88%
• 6M: 12.84%
• 1Y: 21.90%
• 3Y*: 15.66%
• 5Y*: 7.75%
• 10Y*: 10.05%

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

QLVE vs. SMLV - 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%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	12.88%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	27.67%	-1.55%	8.42%

Correlation

The correlation between QLVE and SMLV is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019	0.48

QLVE vs. SMLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLVE	SMLV
Technology	59.6%	11.2%
Financial Services	38.5%	30.5%
Communication Services	18.4%	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	10.8%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	8.7%
Healthcare	7.6%	8.7%
Energy	7.2%	1.8%
Industrials	7.1%	14.3%
Basic Materials	5.5%	3.2%
Utilities	5.4%	2.9%
Real Estate	0.1%	12.2%

Return for Risk

QLVE vs. SMLV — 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

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 45
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. SMLV - 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 SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). 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	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.40	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	2.05	+0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.26	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	3.00	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.97	8.20	+3.77
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. SMLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLVE Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the SMLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLVE and SMLV, 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	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	1.40	+0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.43	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.54	-0.07

Drawdowns

QLVE vs. SMLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLVE drawdown since its inception was -29.96%, smaller than the maximum SMLV drawdown of -42.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLVE and SMLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLVE	SMLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.96%	-42.45%	+12.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.60%	-7.34%	-4.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.29%	-20.40%	+7.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.94%	-20.40%	-3.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.45%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.29%	-1.48%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.29%	-5.46%	-2.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	2.68%	+0.20%

Volatility

QLVE vs. SMLV - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE) has a higher volatility of 6.82% compared to SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) at 3.98%. This indicates that QLVE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLVE	SMLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.82%	3.98%	+2.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.82%	9.88%	+4.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.46%	15.73%	+0.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.48%	18.28%	-4.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.79%	20.95%	-5.16%

QLVE vs. SMLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLVE has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLV's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLVE vs. SMLV - Dividend Comparison

QLVE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.42%, more than SMLV's 2.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	2.35%	2.74%	2.68%	2.68%	2.40%	2.12%	2.47%	2.62%	3.15%	7.92%	3.04%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLVE and SMLV in my portfolio?

QLVE and SMLV have a correlation of 0.44, 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 SMLV?

QLVE has higher volatility (6.82%) compared to SMLV (3.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLVE dropped -29.96% vs SMLV's -42.45%.

Which ETF is better, QLVE or SMLV?

On 5-year performance, SMLV leads with 7.75% vs 7.43% for QLVE. On fees, SMLV is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, SMLV has been the lower-risk option at 3.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLVE or SMLV?

Over the 5-year period, SMLV has performed better with a 7.75% return vs 7.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLVE or SMLV?

SMLV is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for QLVE.

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

QLVE has the higher dividend yield at 2.42%, compared with 2.35% for SMLV.

What is the main difference between QLVE and SMLV?

QLVE tracks Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index, while SMLV tracks SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for QLVE and 0.12% for SMLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLVE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.40), 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.