SELV vs. QLV

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SELV (SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SELV is a Low Volatility fund actively managed by SEI, while QLV is a Quality Factor fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. SELV is actively managed, while QLV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SELV returned 12.82%/yr vs 15.60%/yr for QLV. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SELV charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

SELV vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF (SELV) 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, SELV achieves a 7.06% return, which is significantly lower than QLV's 9.55% return.

SELV

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 2.96%
• 6M: 3.20%
• YTD: 7.06%
• 1Y: 14.38%
• 3Y*: 12.82%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.55%

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
SELV SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF	$599.62K	$501.58K	$529.11K

SELV vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SELV SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF	7.06%	12.86%	14.71%	6.58%	-0.61%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.55%	12.28%	18.08%	13.71%	-0.53%

Correlation

The correlation between SELV and QLV is 0.74, 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.	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2022	0.89

The correlation between SELV and QLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SELV vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SELV	QLV
Technology	29.3%	30.2%
Healthcare	18.3%	14.1%
Consumer Defensive	12.2%	7.8%
Communication Services	11.4%	7.4%
Financial Services	10.5%	12.3%
Industrials	7.8%	6.3%
Utilities	5.1%	6.4%
Energy	2.5%	6.5%
Consumer Cyclical	2.4%	6.4%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.3%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.4%

Return for Risk

SELV vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SELV

SELV Risk / Return Rank: 59
SELV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SELV Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SELV Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SELV Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SELV Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

SELV vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF (SELV) 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.

	SELV	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	2.13	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	3.13	-0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.39	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	2.71	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.53	11.17	-4.64

SELV vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SELV Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is lower than the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SELV 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

SELV vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SELV drawdown since its inception was -13.73%, smaller than the maximum QLV drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SELV and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SELV	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.73%	-33.71%	+19.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.92%	-6.19%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.94%	-12.05%	+3.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	0.00%	-0.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.35%	-3.93%	+1.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	1.50%	+0.71%

Volatility

SELV vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF (SELV) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 2.30%. This indicates that SELV'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

	SELV	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	2.30%	+2.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.98%	5.98%	+2.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.85%	7.88%	+1.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.97%	12.64%	-0.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.97%	16.43%	-4.46%

SELV vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SELV has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SELV vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

SELV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, more 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%
SELV SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF	1.67%	1.74%	1.77%	2.06%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SELV and QLV in my portfolio?

SELV and QLV have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SELV or QLV?

SELV has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to QLV (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SELV dropped -13.73% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, SELV or QLV?

On 3-year performance, QLV leads with 15.60% vs 12.82% for SELV. On fees, SELV is cheaper at 0.15% 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, SELV or QLV?

Over the 3-year period, QLV has performed better with a 15.60% return vs 12.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SELV or QLV?

SELV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for QLV.

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

SELV has the higher dividend yield at 1.67%, compared with 1.52% for QLV.

What is the main difference between SELV and QLV?

SELV is categorized as Low Volatility, while QLV is Quality Factor. They also come from different issuers: SEI and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for SELV and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.47), 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.