QLVvsQDEFETF Comparison
ETF 1
QLV
FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund ETF
This fund is part of
US Multi-Factor
+0.13%
VS
ETF 2
QDEF
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund ETF
This fund is part of
US Multi-Factor
+0.13%
FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund ETF (QLV) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund ETF (QDEF) belong to the same industry segment: US Multi-Factor. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Information Technology, Health Care and Financials. QLV is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.09%, versus 0.38% for QDEF. QLV is up 3.67% year-to-date (YTD) with +$19M in YTD flows. QDEF performs better with 5.52% YTD performance, and +$12M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of QLV and QDEF 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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QLV vs QDEF performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 05/01/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | QLV QDEF | +3.36%+6.26% | +1.10%+3.23% | +3.67%+5.52% | +16.77%+25.58% | +48.83%+66.78% | +62.30%+77.96% |
| Flows | QLV QDEF | -$11M+$6M | +$21M+$8M | +$19M+$12M | +$19M+$33M | -$34M+$13M | -$44M-$143M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | QLV QDEF | +8.90%+11.85% | +8.18%+10.17% | +10.52%+12.14% | +13.06%+14.03% |
| Max drawdown | QLV QDEF | -6.16%-6.99% | -6.16%-6.99% | -11.95%-14.47% | -18.21%-21.30% |
| Max drawdown duration | QLV QDEF | 60d66d | 60d66d | 186d191d | 712d566d |
Trading data
QLV | QDEF | |
Last sale 5/1/2026 at 1:30 PM | $74.44 | $85.18 |
| Previous close 05/01/2026 | $74.59 | $85.21 |
| 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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QLV | QDEF | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 5/1/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
QLV | QDEF | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $74.44 | $85.18 |
| 1D performance | -0.20% | -0.04% |
| AuM | $169.28 M | $530.07 M |
| E/R | 0.09% | 0.38% |
Characteristics
QLV | QDEF | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | FlexShares | FlexShares |
| Benchmark | Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Index | Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index |
| N° of holdings | 110 | 129 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | July 16, 2019 | December 14, 2012 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
QLV
USA
91.62%
Other
8.38%
QDEF
USA
94.32%
Other
5.68%
Sectors
QLV
Information Techn.
30.66%
Health Care
13.43%
Financials
8.69%
Consumer Staples
8.3%
Communication Ser.
7.66%
Other
31.24%
QDEF
Information Techn.
30.32%
Health Care
12.53%
Financials
11.16%
Consumer Staples
7.2%
Other
38.78%
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Diversification
QLV
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
41.49%
QDEF
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
44.27%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of March 31, 2026
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%
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%
Frequently asked questions about QLV and QDEF
How have the QLV and QDEF ETFs performed in 2026?
As of May 1, 2026, QLV is up 3.67% year-to-date (YTD), while QDEF has returned 5.52%. That puts QDEF better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: QLV or QDEF?
Year-to-date, the QLV ETF saw +$19M in flows, compared to +$12M for QDEF.
Which ETF is more volatile: QLV or QDEF?
Over the past year, QLV had a volatility of 8.18%, while QDEF experienced 10.17%.
Which ETF is bigger: QLV or QDEF?
As of May 1, 2026, QLV holds $169.28 M in assets under management (AUM), while QDEF manages $530.07 M.
What sectors do the QLV and QDEF ETFs invest in?
QLV leans toward sectors like Information Technology, Health Care and Financials. Meanwhile, QDEF focuses on Information Technology, Health Care and Financials.
What are the top holdings of the QLV ETF and QDEF ETF?
QLV top holdings include NVIDIA, MICROSOFT-T and APPLE. QDEF holds in its top three: APPLE, NVIDIA and BROADCOM LIMITED.
Which ETF is more diversified: QLV or QDEF?
QLV holds 112 securities with 41.49% of its assets in the top 15. QDEF has 130 securities and a top 15 weight of 44.27%.
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Latest news about QLV & QDEF
Dan Philips on a Quality Low Volatility Approach
May 30, 2023
QLV
Michael Natale with FlexShares
August 2, 2022
QLV
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