VFMV vs. QDSNX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF) and QDSNX (AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N) are both funds - VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while QDSNX is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by AQR Funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFMV returned 9.52%/yr vs 10.67%/yr for QDSNX. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VFMV charges 0.13%/yr vs 3.30%/yr for QDSNX.

Performance

VFMV vs. QDSNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) and AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N (QDSNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFMV achieves a 7.46% return, which is significantly higher than QDSNX's 5.44% return.

VFMV

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 7.46%
• 6M: 7.72%
• 1Y: 11.60%
• 3Y*: 13.97%
• 5Y*: 9.52%
• 10Y*: —

QDSNX

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 5.44%
• 6M: 7.09%
• 1Y: 14.00%
• 3Y*: 13.28%
• 5Y*: 10.67%
• 10Y*: —

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

VFMV vs. QDSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	7.46%	10.52%	16.91%	8.86%	-5.73%	20.75%	11.85%
QDSNX AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N	5.44%	16.14%	9.56%	8.62%	14.48%	10.35%	5.40%

Correlation

The correlation between VFMV and QDSNX is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 11, 2020	0.18

The correlation between VFMV and QDSNX shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (5 years) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VFMV vs. QDSNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 43
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 49

QDSNX

QDSNX Risk / Return Rank: 90
QDSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
QDSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
QDSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QDSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
QDSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

VFMV vs. QDSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) and AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N (QDSNX). 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.

	VFMV	QDSNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	2.79	-1.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	4.16	-2.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.53	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	7.11	-5.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.57	20.51	-12.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFMV vs. QDSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the QDSNX Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFMV and QDSNX, 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

	VFMV	QDSNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	2.79	-1.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	1.40	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	1.61	-0.92

Drawdowns

VFMV vs. QDSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFMV drawdown since its inception was -33.64%, which is greater than QDSNX's maximum drawdown of -7.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFMV and QDSNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFMV	QDSNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.64%	-7.15%	-26.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.00%	-1.97%	-4.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.35%	-6.93%	-3.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.41%	-7.15%	-8.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.00%	-0.88%	-1.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.63%	-1.45%	-2.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	0.68%	+0.85%

Volatility

VFMV vs. QDSNX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) has a higher volatility of 2.21% compared to AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N (QDSNX) at 1.55%. This indicates that VFMV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFMV	QDSNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.21%	1.55%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.37%	3.61%	+2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.83%	5.02%	+3.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.75%	7.63%	+4.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.25%	7.31%	+6.94%

VFMV vs. QDSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFMV has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than QDSNX's 3.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFMV vs. QDSNX - Dividend Comparison

VFMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.95%, more than QDSNX's 1.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QDSNX AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N	1.89%	1.99%	0.00%	11.18%	8.01%	5.99%	1.83%	0.00%	0.00%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.95%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFMV and QDSNX in my portfolio?

VFMV and QDSNX have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFMV or QDSNX?

VFMV has higher volatility (2.21%) compared to QDSNX (1.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFMV dropped -33.64% vs QDSNX's -7.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 1.32), 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.