XMHQ vs. QLV

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

XMHQ (Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF) and QLV (FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - XMHQ tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Quality Index while QLV tracks the Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XMHQ returned 10.44%/yr vs 10.05%/yr for QLV. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. XMHQ charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for QLV.

Performance

XMHQ vs. QLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF (XMHQ) 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, XMHQ achieves a 13.81% return, which is significantly higher than QLV's 9.55% return.

XMHQ

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 2.55%
• 6M: 8.92%
• YTD: 13.81%
• 1Y: 17.48%
• 3Y*: 14.23%
• 5Y*: 10.44%
• 10Y*: 12.81%
• ALL TIME*: 9.54%

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
XMHQ Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF	$19.09M	$19.28M	$20.51M

XMHQ vs. QLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
XMHQ Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF	13.81%	4.71%	16.79%	29.51%	-12.42%	20.98%	26.61%	7.56%
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 XMHQ and QLV is 0.58, 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.	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019	0.74

The correlation between XMHQ and QLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XMHQ vs. QLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XMHQ	QLV
Industrials	30.2%	6.3%
Technology	18.5%	30.2%
Healthcare	16.0%	14.1%
Financial Services	15.1%	12.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	6.4%
Energy	6.9%	6.5%
Utilities	2.2%	6.4%
Basic Materials	1.5%	1.3%
Communication Services	1.4%	7.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

XMHQ vs. QLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

XMHQ

XMHQ Risk / Return Rank: 48
XMHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
XMHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
XMHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 42
XMHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
XMHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

XMHQ vs. QLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF (XMHQ) 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.

	XMHQ	QLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	2.13	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.76	3.13	-1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.39	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	2.71	-0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.90	11.17	-5.27

XMHQ vs. QLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XMHQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is lower than the QLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XMHQ 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

XMHQ vs. QLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XMHQ drawdown since its inception was -58.19%, which is greater than QLV's maximum drawdown of -33.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XMHQ and QLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	XMHQ	QLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.19%	-33.71%	-24.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-6.19%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.56%	-12.05%	-12.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.47%	-17.93%	-7.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.22%	-3.93%	-5.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.97%	1.50%	+1.47%

Volatility

XMHQ vs. QLV - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF (XMHQ) has a higher volatility of 3.28% compared to FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) at 2.30%. This indicates that XMHQ'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

	XMHQ	QLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	2.30%	+0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.03%	5.98%	+5.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.18%	7.88%	+7.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.58%	12.64%	+7.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.64%	16.43%	+4.21%

XMHQ vs. QLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

XMHQ has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than QLV's 0.22% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XMHQ vs. QLV - Dividend Comparison

XMHQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.56%, less than 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%
XMHQ Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF	0.56%	0.64%	5.20%	0.73%	1.72%	1.00%	1.12%	1.22%	1.59%	1.06%	1.63%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XMHQ and QLV in my portfolio?

XMHQ and QLV have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XMHQ or QLV?

XMHQ has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to QLV (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XMHQ dropped -58.19% vs QLV's -33.71%.

Which ETF is better, XMHQ or QLV?

On 5-year performance, XMHQ leads with 10.44% vs 10.05% for QLV. 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, XMHQ or QLV?

Over the 5-year period, XMHQ has performed better with a 10.44% return vs 10.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XMHQ or QLV?

QLV is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for XMHQ.

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

QLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.56% for XMHQ.

What is the main difference between XMHQ and QLV?

XMHQ tracks S&P MidCap 400 Quality Index, while QLV tracks Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for XMHQ and 0.22% for QLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.16), 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.