QSML vs. QLV

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QSML (Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - QSML tracks the WisdomTree US SmallCap Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross while QLV tracks the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QSML returned 31.80% vs 16.70% for QLV. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QSML charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

QSML vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund (QSML) and FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QSML achieves a 19.46% return, which is significantly higher than QLV's 9.55% return.

QSML

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: 2.30%
• 6M: 15.89%
• YTD: 19.46%
• 1Y: 31.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.80%

QLV

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 1.91%
• 6M: 6.89%
• YTD: 9.55%
• 1Y: 16.70%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 10.05%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.67%

*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)
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	$571.44K	$481.55K	$516.78K
QSML Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund	$17.22K	$17.81K	$19.02K

QSML vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QSML Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund	19.46%	5.49%	9.93%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.55%	12.28%	15.18%

Correlation

The correlation between QSML and QLV is 0.62, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2024	0.67

The correlation between QSML and QLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

QSML vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QSML	QLV
Technology	21.4%	30.2%
Consumer Cyclical	18.1%	6.4%
Financial Services	15.6%	12.3%
Industrials	13.8%	6.3%
Healthcare	13.7%	14.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	7.8%
Energy	4.0%	6.5%
Communication Services	2.9%	7.4%
Basic Materials	2.4%	1.3%
Real Estate	0.3%	1.4%
Utilities	0.2%	6.4%

Return for Risk

QSML vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

QSML

QSML Risk / Return Rank: 75
QSML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
QSML Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
QSML Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QSML Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
QSML Martin Ratio Rank: 75

QLV

QLV Risk / Return Rank: 83
QLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
QLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
QLV Omega Ratio Rank: 85
QLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
QLV Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

QSML vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund (QSML) and FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV). 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.

	QSML	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	2.13	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	3.13	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.39	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	2.71	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.05	11.17	-1.12

QSML vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QSML Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QSML and QLV, 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

QSML vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QSML drawdown since its inception was -28.54%, smaller than the maximum QLV drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QSML and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	QSML	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.54%	-33.71%	+5.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.72%	-6.19%	-4.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.05%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.63%	-3.93%	-1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.17%	1.50%	+1.67%

Volatility

QSML vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund (QSML) has a higher volatility of 4.71% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 2.30%. This indicates that QSML's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QSML	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	2.30%	+2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.38%	5.98%	+6.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.49%	7.88%	+9.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.59%	12.64%	+7.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.59%	16.43%	+4.16%

QSML vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

QSML has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

QSML vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

QSML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than QLV's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	1.52%	1.60%	1.66%	1.60%	1.74%	0.96%	1.24%	0.58%
QSML Wisdomtree U.S. Smallcap Quality Growth Fund	0.52%	0.62%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QSML and QLV in my portfolio?

QSML and QLV have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QSML or QLV?

QSML has higher volatility (4.71%) compared to QLV (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QSML dropped -28.54% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, QSML or QLV?

On 1-year performance, QSML leads with 31.80% vs 16.70% for QLV. On fees, QLV is cheaper at 0.22% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QSML or QLV?

Over the 1-year period, QSML has performed better with a 31.80% return vs 16.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QSML or QLV?

QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for QSML.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QSML or QLV?

QLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.52% for QSML.

What is the main difference between QSML and QLV?

QSML tracks WisdomTree US SmallCap Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for QSML and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.83), 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.