SQLV vs. FLQS

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SQLV (Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF) and FLQS (Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SQLV is a Quality Factor fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while FLQS is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity Index. SQLV is actively managed, while FLQS is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SQLV returned 8.18%/yr vs 6.79%/yr for FLQS. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SQLV charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for FLQS.

Performance

SQLV vs. FLQS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) and Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (FLQS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SQLV achieves a 23.57% return, which is significantly higher than FLQS's 15.12% return.

SQLV

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 1.00%
• 6M: 18.55%
• YTD: 23.57%
• 1Y: 37.64%
• 3Y*: 12.11%
• 5Y*: 8.18%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.92%

FLQS

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.53%
• 6M: 11.66%
• YTD: 15.12%
• 1Y: 23.66%
• 3Y*: 11.90%
• 5Y*: 6.79%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.95%

*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)
FLQS Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF	$106.78K	$111.39K	$163.90K
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	$1.18M	$614.27K	$248.07K

SQLV vs. FLQS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	23.57%	2.50%	4.76%	21.21%	-12.86%	37.14%	7.13%	17.41%	-10.55%	8.84%
FLQS Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF	15.12%	5.04%	8.34%	21.28%	-16.88%	26.58%	10.51%	18.34%	-5.86%	8.48%

Correlation

The correlation between SQLV and FLQS is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2017	0.75

The correlation between SQLV and FLQS shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (all time) to 0.95 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SQLV vs. FLQS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SQLV	FLQS
Financial Services	19.0%	13.0%
Healthcare	18.7%	13.3%
Technology	15.9%	16.6%
Consumer Cyclical	13.8%	16.0%
Industrials	10.3%	12.7%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	8.3%
Communication Services	6.0%	1.7%
Energy	4.0%	4.7%
Basic Materials	3.8%	2.0%
Real Estate	0.9%	6.2%
Utilities	0.2%	5.6%

Return for Risk

SQLV vs. FLQS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SQLV

SQLV Risk / Return Rank: 86
SQLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
SQLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SQLV Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SQLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SQLV Martin Ratio Rank: 86

FLQS

FLQS Risk / Return Rank: 65
FLQS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
FLQS Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FLQS Omega Ratio Rank: 61
FLQS Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FLQS Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

SQLV vs. FLQS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) and Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (FLQS). 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.

	SQLV	FLQS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	1.48	+0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.97	2.28	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.26	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.95	2.47	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	7.42	+4.97

SQLV vs. FLQS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SQLV Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is higher than the FLQS Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SQLV and FLQS, 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

SQLV vs. FLQS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SQLV drawdown since its inception was -48.34%, which is greater than FLQS's maximum drawdown of -42.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SQLV and FLQS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SQLV	FLQS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.34%	-42.16%	-6.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-9.00%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.86%	-23.12%	-3.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.86%	-28.05%	+1.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.74%	-1.28%	-0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.80%	-7.88%	-0.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.81%	2.99%	-0.18%

Volatility

SQLV vs. FLQS - Volatility Comparison

Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (FLQS) at 3.37%. This indicates that SQLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FLQS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SQLV	FLQS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	3.37%	+0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.60%	10.25%	+1.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.33%	15.05%	+2.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.87%	19.14%	+1.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.24%	21.55%	+1.69%

SQLV vs. FLQS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SQLV has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than FLQS's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

SQLV vs. FLQS - Dividend Comparison

SQLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than FLQS's 1.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLQS Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF	1.33%	1.16%	1.29%	1.75%	1.40%	0.95%	1.20%	1.41%	1.27%	1.02%
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	0.95%	1.15%	1.11%	1.09%	1.24%	1.12%	1.22%	1.20%	1.08%	0.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SQLV and FLQS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, SQLV and FLQS move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SQLV or FLQS?

SQLV has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to FLQS (3.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SQLV dropped -48.34% vs FLQS's -42.16%.

Which ETF is better, SQLV or FLQS?

On 5-year performance, SQLV leads with 8.18% vs 6.79% for FLQS. On fees, FLQS is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FLQS has been the lower-risk option at 3.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SQLV or FLQS?

Over the 5-year period, SQLV has performed better with a 8.18% return vs 6.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SQLV or FLQS?

FLQS is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SQLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SQLV or FLQS?

FLQS has the higher dividend yield at 1.33%, compared with 0.95% for SQLV.

What is the main difference between SQLV and FLQS?

SQLV is categorized as Quality Factor, while FLQS is Small Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SQLV and 0.35% for FLQS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SQLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.48), 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.