QMLFX vs. QSTFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QMLFX (Quantified Market Leaders Fund) and QSTFX (Quantified STF Fund) are both Tactical Allocation funds from Advisors Preferred. Over the past 10 years, QMLFX returned 10.51%/yr vs 17.96%/yr for QSTFX. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QMLFX charges 1.30%/yr vs 1.55%/yr for QSTFX.

Performance

QMLFX vs. QSTFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Quantified Market Leaders Fund (QMLFX) and Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with QMLFX having a 18.90% return and QSTFX slightly lower at 18.84%. Over the past 10 years, QMLFX has underperformed QSTFX with an annualized return of 10.51%, while QSTFX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.96% annualized return.

QMLFX

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 9.25%
• YTD: 18.90%
• 6M: 16.97%
• 1Y: 38.33%
• 3Y*: 13.60%
• 5Y*: 0.57%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

QSTFX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 11.77%
• YTD: 18.84%
• 6M: 14.73%
• 1Y: 50.56%
• 3Y*: 21.56%
• 5Y*: 11.97%
• 10Y*: 17.96%

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

QMLFX vs. QSTFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QMLFX Quantified Market Leaders Fund	18.90%	0.97%	11.05%	15.04%	-23.59%	13.22%	37.81%	26.08%	-13.48%	16.76%
QSTFX Quantified STF Fund	18.84%	-2.48%	29.94%	61.87%	-46.15%	28.79%	78.20%	16.43%	-6.86%	68.46%

Correlation

The correlation between QMLFX and QSTFX is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2015	0.70

The correlation between QMLFX and QSTFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (5 years) to 0.76 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QMLFX vs. QSTFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QMLFX

QMLFX Risk / Return Rank: 52
QMLFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
QMLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
QMLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
QMLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
QMLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

QSTFX

QSTFX Risk / Return Rank: 46
QSTFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
QSTFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
QSTFX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
QSTFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
QSTFX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

QMLFX vs. QSTFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Quantified Market Leaders Fund (QMLFX) and Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX). 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.

	QMLFX	QSTFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.10	-0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	2.65	-0.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.39	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.91	2.94	+0.97
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.54	7.52	+4.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QMLFX vs. QSTFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QMLFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the QSTFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QMLFX and QSTFX, 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

	QMLFX	QSTFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	2.10	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	0.44	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.65	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.57	-0.15

Drawdowns

QMLFX vs. QSTFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QMLFX drawdown since its inception was -36.59%, smaller than the maximum QSTFX drawdown of -49.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QMLFX and QSTFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QMLFX	QSTFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.59%	-49.03%	+12.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.07%	-17.87%	+7.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.21%	-32.22%	+5.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.59%	-49.03%	+12.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.59%	-49.03%	+12.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.54%	-15.50%	+2.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.41%	6.97%	-3.56%

Volatility

QMLFX vs. QSTFX - Volatility Comparison

Quantified Market Leaders Fund (QMLFX) has a higher volatility of 7.62% compared to Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX) at 6.29%. This indicates that QMLFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QSTFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QMLFX	QSTFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.62%	6.29%	+1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.34%	18.89%	-4.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.52%	25.47%	-4.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.23%	27.12%	-6.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.97%	27.90%	-6.93%

QMLFX vs. QSTFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

QMLFX has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is lower than QSTFX's 1.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

QMLFX vs. QSTFX - Dividend Comparison

QMLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, less than QSTFX's 8.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QMLFX Quantified Market Leaders Fund	1.15%	1.37%	0.00%	1.99%	0.00%	26.84%	9.58%	0.00%	15.63%	12.15%	2.22%	1.63%
QSTFX Quantified STF Fund	8.96%	10.65%	5.12%	1.03%	0.00%	21.93%	20.82%	0.52%	2.57%	39.11%	0.01%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QMLFX and QSTFX in my portfolio?

QMLFX and QSTFX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QMLFX or QSTFX?

QMLFX has higher volatility (7.62%) compared to QSTFX (6.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QMLFX dropped -36.59% vs QSTFX's -49.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QSTFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.94), 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.