QDEFvsQLVETF Comparison
ETF 1
QDEF
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund ETF
This fund is part of
US Multi-Factor
+0.13%
VS
ETF 2
QLV
FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund ETF
This fund is part of
US Multi-Factor
+0.13%
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund ETF (QDEF) and FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund ETF (QLV) belong to the same industry segment: US Multi-Factor. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Information Technology, Health Care and Financials. QDEF is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.38%, versus 0.09% for QLV. QDEF is up 5.52% year-to-date (YTD) with +$12M in YTD flows. QLV performs worse with 3.67% YTD performance, and +$19M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of QDEF and QLV 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 QLV performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 05/01/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | QDEF QLV | +6.26%+3.36% | +3.23%+1.10% | +5.52%+3.67% | +25.58%+16.77% | +66.78%+48.83% | +77.96%+62.30% |
| Flows | QDEF QLV | +$6M-$11M | +$8M+$21M | +$12M+$19M | +$33M+$19M | +$13M-$34M | -$143M-$44M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | QDEF QLV | +11.85%+8.90% | +10.17%+8.18% | +12.14%+10.52% | +14.03%+13.06% |
| Max drawdown | QDEF QLV | -6.99%-6.16% | -6.99%-6.16% | -14.47%-11.95% | -21.30%-18.21% |
| Max drawdown duration | QDEF QLV | 66d60d | 66d60d | 191d186d | 566d712d |
Trading data
QDEF | QLV | |
Last sale 5/4/2026 at 1:30 PM | $84.54 | $74.17 |
| Previous close 05/01/2026 | $85.18 | $74.44 |
| Consolidated volume 05/01/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of April 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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QDEF | QLV | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 5/4/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
QDEF | QLV | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $84.54 | $74.17 |
| 1D performance | -0.75% | -0.36% |
| AuM | $530.07 M | $169.28 M |
| E/R | 0.38% | 0.09% |
Characteristics
QDEF | QLV | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | FlexShares | FlexShares |
| Benchmark | Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index | Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index |
| N° of holdings | 129 | 110 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | December 14, 2012 | July 16, 2019 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
QDEF
USA
94.32%
Other
5.68%
QLV
USA
91.62%
Other
8.38%
Sectors
QDEF
Information Techn.
30.32%
Health Care
12.53%
Financials
11.16%
Consumer Staples
7.2%
Other
38.78%
QLV
Information Techn.
30.66%
Health Care
13.43%
Financials
8.69%
Consumer Staples
8.3%
Communication Ser.
7.66%
Other
31.24%
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Diversification
QDEF
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
44.27%
QLV
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
41.49%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of March 31, 2026
QDEF
APPLE
7.56%
NVIDIA
6.25%
BROADCOM LIMITED
4.37%
MICROSOFT-T
3.66%
JOHNSON&JOHNSON
2.91%
ABBVIE
2.90%
PROCTERGAMBLE
2.59%
ALPHABET INC-CL
2.17%
PHILLIP MORRIS
2.04%
JPMORGAN CHASE
1.95%
ALPHABET INC-CL
1.74%
CISCO-T
1.68%
KLA CORPORATION
1.54%
MERCK & CO INC
1.53%
TJX
1.38%
QLV
NVIDIA
5.75%
MICROSOFT-T
5.06%
APPLE
5.00%
JOHNSON&JOHNSON
4.50%
EXXON
2.88%
ABBVIE
2.26%
PROCTERGAMBLE
2.26%
COSTCO WHOLESALE
2.12%
VISA INCORPORATION
2.01%
BERKSHIRE HATHWAY
1.91%
MCDONALD'S
1.75%
ALPHABET INC-CL
1.65%
MASTERCARD
1.58%
INTL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP
1.43%
MERCK & CO INC
1.34%
Frequently asked questions about QDEF and QLV
How have the QDEF and QLV ETFs performed in 2026?
As of May 1, 2026, QDEF is up 5.52% year-to-date (YTD), while QLV has returned 3.67%. That puts QDEF better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: QDEF or QLV?
Year-to-date, the QDEF ETF saw +$12M in flows, compared to +$19M for QLV.
Which ETF is more volatile: QDEF or QLV?
Over the past year, QDEF had a volatility of 10.17%, while QLV experienced 8.18%.
Which ETF is bigger: QDEF or QLV?
As of May 1, 2026, QDEF holds $530.07 M in assets under management (AUM), while QLV manages $169.28 M.
What sectors do the QDEF and QLV ETFs invest in?
QDEF leans toward sectors like Information Technology, Health Care and Financials. Meanwhile, QLV focuses on Information Technology, Health Care and Financials.
What are the top holdings of the QDEF ETF and QLV ETF?
QDEF top holdings include APPLE, NVIDIA and BROADCOM LIMITED. QLV holds in its top three: NVIDIA, MICROSOFT-T and APPLE.
Which ETF is more diversified: QDEF or QLV?
QDEF holds 130 securities with 44.27% of its assets in the top 15. QLV has 112 securities and a top 15 weight of 41.49%.
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Latest news about QDEF & QLV
Dan Philips on a Quality Low Volatility Approach
May 30, 2023
QLV
Michael Natale with FlexShares
August 2, 2022
QLV
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