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FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund ETF
QDEF performance and flow charts
Performance
Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of April 24, 2026| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | +6.43% | +3.16% | +4.82% | +26.87% | +66.94% | +76.95% |
| Flows | +$4M | +$6M | +$10M | +$33M | +$7M | -$164M |
Characteristics
The FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund ETF is built to track the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Total Return Index - USD. This ETF provides physical exposure - by owning its shares you earn the return of the securities composing the index (as the ETF holds them directly). This share class generates a stream of income by distributing dividends.
| Management strategy | Passive |
| Strategy | Long Only |
| Provider | FlexShares |
| N° of holdings | 130 |
| Replication method | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset class | Equity |
| Dividend policy | Distributing |
Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join for free |
| Inception date | December 14, 2012 |
| ESG | No |
More data and info about QDEF on Trackinsight
Exposure
Data as of March 31, 2026Diversification
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 130
Top 15 Holdings
Sectors
Countries
Similar ETFs
Trading data
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | +11.80% | +10.14% | +12.19% | +14.03% |
Max drawdown | -6.99% | -6.99% | -14.47% | -21.30% |
Max drawdown duration | 66d | 66d | 191d | 566d |
Time to recover | 18d | 18d | 65d | 292d |
Replication quality
Data as of March 31, 2026Create an account to view replication metrics
1 year cumulative return difference | |
|---|---|
| Best | Join for free |
| Worst | Join for free |
| daily return difference | |
|---|---|
| Average | Join for free |
| Worst | Join for free |
What type of ETF is QDEF?
QDEF is a Passive ETF that provides exposure to Equity assets. It is managed by FlexShares.
What index does QDEF track?
QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Total Return Index - USD, aiming to replicate its performance through optimized sampling.
What does QDEF invest in?
This ETF provides exposure to Other Large Cap US Equities. It is part of the segment: US Multi-Factor.
What is the expense ratio of QDEF?
The total expense ratio (TER) of QDEF is 0.38%, representing the annual fee charged by the fund manager.
When was QDEF launched?
QDEF was launched on December 14, 2012, marking its entry into the ETF market.
Who is the issuer of QDEF?
QDEF is issued by FlexShares.
What is the AUM of QDEF?
As of April 24, 2026, QDEF manages $524.44 M, reflecting the total assets held in the fund.
How has QDEF performed recently?
As of April 24, 2026, QDEF delivered a return of 6.43% over the past month (1M performance), 3.16% over the past three months (3M), and 4.82% year-to-date (YTD).
What are the recent fund flows for QDEF?
As of April 24, 2026, QDEF has seen net flows of +$4M in the past month (1M flow) and +$10M year-to-date (YTD).
Does QDEF pay dividends?
As of April 24, 2026, QDEF has a trailing 12-month distribution yield of 1.65%.
How many holdings are in QDEF
As of March 31, 2026, QDEF holds 130 securities in its portfolio. This level of diversification can influence the fund’s risk profile and exposure to individual assets.
How diversified is QDEF?
As of March 31, 2026, QDEF holds 130 securities, with 44.27% of its assets concentrated in its top 15 holdings.
What are the top holdings of QDEF?
As of March 31, 2026, QDEF holds a portfolio of 130 underlyings, with its largest positions including APPLE, NVIDIA and BROADCOM LIMITED. These top holdings play a significant role in shaping the fund’s performance and exposure.
What countries or regions does QDEF invest in?
As of March 31, 2026, QDEF has its largest geographic exposures in USA.
What sectors or themes does QDEF focus on?
As of March 31, 2026, QDEF is primarily exposed to Information Technology, Health Care and Financials.
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