QLV vs VOO
Northern Trust US Quality Low Volatility ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, QLV or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. QLV is less concentrated, with 35.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | QLV | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $167M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.49% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 122 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +10.75% | +11.55%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.49% | +17.54%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.62% | +20.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.90% | +12.80%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 16.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.0%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,032 | $18,262Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.8%Best | 36.4% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2019 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2019 to Sep 10, 2026 (7.2 years).
QLV vs VOO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 7.2 years both funds cover.
QLV vs VOO Performance
Northern Trust US Quality Low Volatility ETF (QLV) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QLV returned +13.49% while VOO returned +17.54%. Year to date, QLV is up 10.75% versus a gain of 11.55% for VOO.
Over three years, QLV compounded at +15.62% per year against +20.71% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +9.90% and +12.80% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +15.10% annualized vs +11.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 13.6% for QLV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -34.0% for QLV and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLV charges 0.08% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $3 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLV currently yields 1.49% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
82.5% of QLV's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 56.6% of VOO's money is in holdings QLV also owns.
Most of QLV is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, QLV as of Aug 31, 2026 and VOO as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
82 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in QLV and 505 in VOO, against full books of 122 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 414 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for QLV (42.8% of the fund), and 30 for QLV that do not appear in VOO (12.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QLV | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 6.41% | 7.51% | 1.10% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.71% | 6.59% | 0.88% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 6.35% | 4.30% | 2.05% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.51% | 3.62% | 1.11% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 4.27% | 0.95% | 3.32% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 1.90% | 3.25% | 1.35% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.90% | 2.77% | 0.87% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.44% | 2.59% | 1.15% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway B | 1.84% | 1.42% | 0.42% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.28% | 0.88% | 1.40% |
82.5% of QLV is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QLV or VOO?
QLV has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLV or VOO?
Over the past year QLV returned +13.49% vs +17.54% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), QLV annualized +11.26% vs +15.10% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLV or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 13.6% for QLV. Worst drawdown: QLV -34.0% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both QLV and VOO?
QLV and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QLV and VOO?
82.5% of QLV's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 56.6% of VOO's is in holdings QLV also owns. They hold 82 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in QLV and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLV or VOO?
QLV yields 1.49% while VOO yields 1.04%, so QLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than QLV?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. QLV is less concentrated, with 35.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.