QDEFvsQDFETF Comparison
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Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF (QDEF) and Northern Trust Quality Dividend ETF (QDF) belong to the same industry segment: US Multi-Factor. QDEF's top 3 sector exposures are Technology, Finance and Healthcare. In contrast, QDF's top sector exposures are Technology, Finance and Industrials. Both QDEF and QDF have the same Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.4%. QDEF is up 12.53% year-to-date (YTD) with +$2M in YTD flows. QDF performs better with 13.27% YTD performance, and -$71M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of QDEF and QDF below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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QDEF vs QDF performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 09/17/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | QDEF QDF | -0.51%-2.05% | +4.98%+2.69% | +12.53%+13.27% | +16.25%+17.71% | +70.53%+66.61% | +82.75%+75.81% |
| Flows | QDEF QDF | -$4M-$11M | -$11M-$22M | +$2M-$71M | +$10M-$64M | +$16M-$228M | -$97M-$257M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | QDEF QDF | +8.24%+10.19% | +9.91%+12.18% | +12.04%+14.25% | +13.97%+15.83% |
| Max drawdown | QDEF QDF | -2.46%-3.54% | -6.99%-7.83% | -14.47%-18.14% | -21.30%-22.14% |
| Max drawdown duration | QDEF QDF | 14d35d | 66d50d | 191d128d | 566d560d |
Trading data
QDEF | QDF | |
Last sale 9/18/2026 at 1:30 PM | $89.93 | $90.56 |
| Previous close 09/17/2026 | $90.46 | $90.98 |
| Consolidated volume 09/17/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of August 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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QDEF | QDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 9/18/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
QDEF | QDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $89.93 | $90.56 |
| 1D performance | -0.59% | -0.46% |
| AuM | $551.76 M | $2.20 B |
| E/R | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Characteristics
QDEF | QDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | Northern Trust | Northern Trust |
| Benchmark | Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index | Northern Trust Quality Dividend Index |
| N° of holdings | 133 | 114 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | December 14, 2012 | December 14, 2012 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
QDEF
USA
96.57%
Other
3.43%
QDF
USA
96.52%
Other
3.48%
Sectors
QDEF
Technology
39.07%
Finance
16.13%
Healthcare
10.34%
Consumer Non-Cycl.
9.59%
Other
24.86%
QDF
Technology
40.69%
Finance
20.5%
Industrials
9.91%
Healthcare
9%
Consumer Non-Cycl.
7.22%
Other
12.69%
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Diversification
QDEF
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
46.38%
QDF
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
49.14%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of July 31, 2026
QDEF
Apple, Inc.
8.26%
NVIDIA Corp.
6.35%
Broadcom Inc.
4.64%
Microsoft Corp.
4.02%
AbbVie, Inc.
3.01%
Johnson & Johnson
2.74%
Alphabet, Inc.
2.42%
Procter & Gamble Co.
2.33%
Cisco Systems, Inc.
2.25%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
2.09%
Philip Morris International, Inc.
2.06%
Alphabet, Inc.
1.96%
KLA Corp.
1.68%
Lam Research Corp.
1.35%
The TJX Cos., Inc.
1.21%
QDF
Apple, Inc.
8.59%
NVIDIA Corp.
6.27%
Broadcom Inc.
3.97%
Microsoft Corp.
3.93%
Cisco Systems, Inc.
2.93%
AbbVie, Inc.
2.91%
Johnson & Johnson
2.79%
GE Aerospace
2.59%
Lam Research Corp.
2.54%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
2.53%
Alphabet, Inc.
2.38%
Procter & Gamble Co.
2.26%
Alphabet, Inc.
1.93%
Philip Morris International, Inc.
1.88%
KLA Corp.
1.63%
Frequently asked questions about QDEF and QDF
How have the QDEF and QDF ETFs performed in 2026?
As of September 17, 2026, QDEF is up 12.53% year-to-date (YTD), while QDF has returned 13.27%. That puts QDF better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: QDEF or QDF?
Year-to-date, the QDEF ETF saw +$2M in flows, compared to -$71M for QDF.
Which ETF is more volatile: QDEF or QDF?
Over the past year, QDEF had a volatility of 9.91%, while QDF experienced 12.18%.
Which ETF is bigger: QDEF or QDF?
As of September 17, 2026, QDEF holds $551.76 M in assets under management (AUM), while QDF manages $2.20 B.
What sectors do the QDEF and QDF ETFs invest in?
QDEF leans toward sectors like Technology, Finance and Healthcare. Meanwhile, QDF focuses on Technology, Finance and Industrials.
What are the top holdings of the QDEF ETF and QDF ETF?
QDEF top holdings include Apple, Inc., NVIDIA Corp. and Broadcom Inc.. QDF holds in its top three: Apple, Inc., NVIDIA Corp. and Broadcom Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: QDEF or QDF?
QDEF holds 134 securities with 46.38% of its assets in the top 15. QDF has 115 securities and a top 15 weight of 49.14%.
Latest news about QDEF & QDF
ETF Central's Ultimate Guide to Dividend Investing, Part 4: Dividend Quality ETFs
July 16, 2024
QDEF
QDF
Dividend Growth, High Yield, & Dividend Quality ETFs: What's the Difference?
October 20, 2023
QDF
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