USMV vs. QLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - USMV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index, while QLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USMV returned 7.45%/yr vs 10.73%/yr for QLV. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. USMV charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

USMV vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) 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, USMV achieves a 2.65% return, which is significantly lower than QLV's 5.48% return.

USMV

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 2.65%
• 6M: 2.61%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 11.79%
• 5Y*: 7.45%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

QLV

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 2.14%
• YTD: 5.48%
• 6M: 5.38%
• 1Y: 14.06%
• 3Y*: 15.15%
• 5Y*: 10.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

USMV vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	2.65%	7.65%	15.74%	10.33%	-9.43%	20.85%	5.64%	4.62%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	5.48%	12.28%	18.08%	13.71%	-9.97%	26.08%	9.63%	6.24%

Correlation

The correlation between USMV and QLV is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019	0.94

The correlation between USMV and QLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

USMV vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USMV	QLV
Technology	30.8%	28.6%
Healthcare	12.5%	12.7%
Financial Services	12.4%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	10.0%	8.5%
Utilities	7.5%	6.5%
Communication Services	5.9%	8.4%
Industrials	5.7%	6.3%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	6.8%
Energy	3.6%	5.8%
Basic Materials	2.2%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.7%

Return for Risk

USMV vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

USMV

USMV Risk / Return Rank: 17
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 15
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 19

QLV

QLV Risk / Return Rank: 53
QLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
QLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
QLV Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
QLV Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

USMV vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) 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.

	USMV	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	1.85	-1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.79	2.68	-1.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.32	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.68	2.28	-1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.27	9.69	-7.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USMV vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USMV Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is lower than the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USMV 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	USMV	QLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52	1.85	-1.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.85	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.69	+0.18

Drawdowns

USMV vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USMV drawdown since its inception was -33.10%, roughly equal to the maximum QLV drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USMV and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	USMV	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.10%	-33.71%	+0.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.46%	-6.19%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.36%	-12.05%	+2.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.93%	-17.93%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-0.81%	-0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.88%	-4.00%	+1.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	1.45%	+0.48%

Volatility

USMV vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) has a higher volatility of 2.38% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 1.61%. This indicates that USMV'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

	USMV	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.38%	1.61%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.91%	5.34%	+0.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.50%	7.65%	+0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.35%	12.64%	-0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.51%	16.57%	-2.06%

USMV vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

USMV 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

USMV vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

USMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, which matches QLV's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	1.52%	1.60%	1.66%	1.60%	1.74%	0.96%	1.24%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	1.53%	1.49%	1.67%	1.82%	1.62%	1.26%	1.81%	1.88%	2.12%	1.77%	2.22%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USMV and QLV in my portfolio?

USMV and QLV have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USMV or QLV?

USMV has higher volatility (2.38%) compared to QLV (1.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USMV dropped -33.10% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, USMV or QLV?

On 5-year performance, QLV leads with 10.73% vs 7.45% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QLV has been the lower-risk option at 1.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USMV or QLV?

Over the 5-year period, QLV has performed better with a 10.73% return vs 7.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USMV or QLV?

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

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

USMV and QLV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 1.53%.

What is the main difference between USMV and QLV?

USMV is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while QLV is Volatility Hedged Equity. USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index, while QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for USMV and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 0.52), 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.