VUSG vs. QLC

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

VUSG (Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF) and QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VUSG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while QLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. VUSG is actively managed, while QLC is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VUSG charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QLC.

Performance

VUSG vs. QLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF (VUSG) 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, VUSG achieves a 1.35% return, which is significantly lower than QLC's 9.54% return.

VUSG

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: -4.61%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 6M: 0.02%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QLC

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.10%
• YTD: 9.54%
• 6M: 7.97%
• 1Y: 28.02%
• 3Y*: 24.09%
• 5Y*: 14.77%
• 10Y*: 15.29%

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

VUSG vs. QLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VUSG Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF	1.35%	2.62%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	9.54%	3.75%

Correlation

The correlation between VUSG and QLC is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2025	0.88

Return for Risk

VUSG vs. QLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUSG

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

QLC

QLC Risk / Return Rank: 77
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 76
QLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
QLC Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

VUSG vs. QLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF (VUSG) 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.

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.

	VUSG	QLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.18	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.00	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.39	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.18	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	14.39	—

Drawdowns

VUSG vs. QLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUSG drawdown since its inception was -15.14%, smaller than the maximum QLC drawdown of -35.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSG and QLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUSG	QLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.14%	-35.86%	+20.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.84%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.49%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.81%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.86%	-2.38%	-5.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.69%	-4.52%	+0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.95%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VUSG	QLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.71%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.27%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.02%	12.92%	+7.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.02%	16.91%	+3.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.02%	18.45%	+1.57%

VUSG vs. QLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUSG has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than QLC's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUSG vs. QLC - Dividend Comparison

VUSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than QLC's 0.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	0.95%	0.94%	1.03%	1.26%	1.46%	0.96%	1.40%	1.91%	1.82%	1.29%	1.80%	0.64%
VUSG Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF	0.02%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUSG and QLC in my portfolio?

VUSG and QLC have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VUSG or QLC?

On fees, QLC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUSG or QLC?

QLC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for VUSG.

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

QLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.02% for VUSG.

What is the main difference between VUSG and QLC?

VUSG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QLC is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for VUSG and 0.25% for QLC.