SXQG vs. QLC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SXQG (ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF) and QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SXQG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Meridian, while QLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. SXQG is actively managed, while QLC is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SXQG returned 5.59%/yr vs 15.29%/yr for QLC. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SXQG charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QLC.

Performance

SXQG vs. QLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF (SXQG) and FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SXQG achieves a -2.67% return, which is significantly lower than QLC's 11.39% return.

SXQG

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 1.05%
• YTD: -2.67%
• 6M: -2.94%
• 1Y: -0.51%
• 3Y*: 11.07%
• 5Y*: 5.59%
• 10Y*: —

QLC

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 11.39%
• 6M: 11.88%
• 1Y: 33.09%
• 3Y*: 25.39%
• 5Y*: 15.29%
• 10Y*: 14.83%

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

SXQG vs. QLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SXQG ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF	-2.67%	4.43%	18.77%	28.32%	-23.93%	12.62%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	11.39%	23.26%	26.71%	26.02%	-17.21%	15.09%

Correlation

The correlation between SXQG and QLC is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 12, 2021	0.90

The correlation between SXQG and QLC shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (1 year) to 0.90 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SXQG vs. QLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SXQG	QLC
Technology	30.3%	34.8%
Communication Services	15.6%	13.8%
Healthcare	15.6%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	12.4%	3.2%
Financial Services	12.2%	13.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	7.9%
Industrials	5.5%	6.6%
Energy	0.7%	2.0%
Basic Materials	0.2%	2.2%
Real Estate	-	2.3%
Utilities	-	3.4%

Return for Risk

SXQG vs. QLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SXQG

SXQG Risk / Return Rank: 8
SXQG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
SXQG Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
SXQG Omega Ratio Rank: 8
SXQG Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
SXQG Martin Ratio Rank: 9

QLC

QLC Risk / Return Rank: 81
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
QLC Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

SXQG vs. QLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF (SXQG) and FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC). 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.

	SXQG	QLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.04	2.69	-2.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.02	3.71	-3.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.48	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.04	3.76	-3.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.11	17.59	-17.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SXQG vs. QLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SXQG Sharpe Ratio is -0.04, which is lower than the QLC Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SXQG and QLC, 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

	SXQG	QLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.04	2.69	-2.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.91	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.80	-0.48

Drawdowns

SXQG vs. QLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SXQG drawdown since its inception was -33.97%, smaller than the maximum QLC drawdown of -35.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SXQG and QLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SXQG	QLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.97%	-35.86%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.03%	-8.84%	-5.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.53%	-18.49%	-1.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.97%	-23.81%	-10.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.52%	-0.74%	-4.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.12%	-4.54%	-5.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.91%	1.89%	+3.02%

Volatility

SXQG vs. QLC - Volatility Comparison

ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF (SXQG) has a higher volatility of 3.09% compared to FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) at 2.94%. This indicates that SXQG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SXQG	QLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.09%	2.94%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	9.51%	-0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.68%	12.38%	-0.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.99%	16.82%	+1.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.97%	18.42%	-0.45%

SXQG vs. QLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SXQG has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than QLC's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

SXQG vs. QLC - Dividend Comparison

SXQG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, less than QLC's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	0.88%	0.94%	1.03%	1.26%	1.46%	0.96%	1.40%	1.91%	1.82%	1.29%	1.80%	0.64%
SXQG ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF	0.07%	0.15%	0.00%	0.02%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SXQG and QLC in my portfolio?

SXQG and QLC have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SXQG or QLC?

SXQG has higher volatility (3.09%) compared to QLC (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SXQG dropped -33.97% vs QLC's -35.86%.

Which ETF is better, SXQG or QLC?

On 5-year performance, QLC leads with 15.29% vs 5.59% for SXQG. On fees, QLC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, QLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SXQG or QLC?

Over the 5-year period, QLC has performed better with a 15.29% return vs 5.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SXQG or QLC?

QLC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for SXQG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SXQG or QLC?

QLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.07% for SXQG.

What is the main difference between SXQG and QLC?

SXQG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QLC is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Meridian and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for SXQG and 0.25% for QLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs -0.04), 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.