VALQ vs. QLV

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VALQ (American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - VALQ tracks the iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Value Index while QLV tracks the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VALQ returned 8.85%/yr vs 10.05%/yr for QLV. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VALQ charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

VALQ vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF (VALQ) 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, VALQ achieves a 7.41% return, which is significantly lower than QLV's 9.55% return.

VALQ

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 1.46%
• 6M: 2.65%
• YTD: 7.41%
• 1Y: 17.62%
• 3Y*: 14.02%
• 5Y*: 8.85%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.86%

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
VALQ American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF	$217.95K	$474.87K	$401.20K

VALQ vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VALQ American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF	7.41%	10.58%	16.71%	13.87%	-7.73%	27.05%	0.64%	8.19%
QLV FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund	9.55%	12.28%	18.08%	13.71%	-9.97%	26.08%	9.63%	5.97%

Correlation

The correlation between VALQ and QLV is 0.73, 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.	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019	0.83

The correlation between VALQ and QLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VALQ vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VALQ	QLV
Technology	34.6%	30.2%
Healthcare	14.8%	14.1%
Consumer Cyclical	12.1%	6.4%
Consumer Defensive	12.1%	7.8%
Industrials	11.6%	6.3%
Communication Services	6.5%	7.4%
Financial Services	5.5%	12.3%
Energy	1.9%	6.5%
Basic Materials	0.7%	1.3%
Real Estate	0.3%	1.4%
Utilities	-	6.4%

Return for Risk

VALQ vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VALQ

VALQ Risk / Return Rank: 62
VALQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VALQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VALQ Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VALQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VALQ Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

VALQ vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF (VALQ) 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.

	VALQ	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	2.13	-0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	3.13	-0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.39	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.25	2.71	-0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.47	11.17	-4.70

VALQ vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VALQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VALQ 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

VALQ vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VALQ drawdown since its inception was -38.19%, which is greater than QLV's maximum drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VALQ and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VALQ	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.19%	-33.71%	-4.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-6.19%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.62%	-12.05%	-3.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.19%	-17.93%	-2.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	0.00%	-0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.87%	-3.93%	-0.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	1.50%	+1.23%

Volatility

VALQ vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF (VALQ) has a higher volatility of 3.08% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 2.30%. This indicates that VALQ'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

	VALQ	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.08%	2.30%	+0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.04%	5.98%	+2.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.16%	7.88%	+3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.48%	12.64%	+1.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.55%	16.43%	+1.12%

VALQ vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VALQ has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

VALQ vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

VALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.78%, more than QLV's 1.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%
VALQ American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF	1.78%	1.88%	1.58%	1.76%	2.71%	1.58%	2.08%	2.31%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VALQ and QLV in my portfolio?

VALQ and QLV have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VALQ or QLV?

VALQ has higher volatility (3.08%) compared to QLV (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VALQ dropped -38.19% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, VALQ or QLV?

On 5-year performance, QLV leads with 10.05% vs 8.85% for VALQ. 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, VALQ or QLV?

Over the 5-year period, QLV has performed better with a 10.05% return vs 8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VALQ or QLV?

QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for VALQ.

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

VALQ has the higher dividend yield at 1.78%, compared with 1.52% for QLV.

What is the main difference between VALQ and QLV?

VALQ tracks iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Value Index, while QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: American Century and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for VALQ and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.59), 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.