QLV vs VTI
Northern Trust US Quality Low Volatility ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, QLV or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $167M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.49% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 122 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.45% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.98% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.98% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.07% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 16.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.0%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,156 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2019 to Sep 11, 2026 (7.2 years).
QLV vs VTI 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 VTI Performance
Northern Trust US Quality Low Volatility ETF (QLV) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QLV returned +12.98% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, QLV is up 11.45% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, QLV compounded at +15.98% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.07% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.61% annualized vs +11.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% 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 -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. 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 VTI 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 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 89.7% of QLV's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of QLV is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, QLV as of Aug 31, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
99 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in QLV and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 122 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QLV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 6.41% | 6.32% | 0.09% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.71% | 5.84% | 0.13% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 6.35% | 3.81% | 2.54% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.51% | 3.17% | 0.66% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 4.27% | 0.84% | 3.43% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 1.90% | 2.88% | 0.98% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.90% | 2.46% | 0.56% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.44% | 2.27% | 0.83% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway B | 1.84% | 1.24% | 0.60% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.28% | 0.78% | 1.50% |
89.7% of QLV is already inside VTI.
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 VTI?
QLV has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLV or VTI?
Over the past year QLV returned +12.98% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), QLV annualized +11.36% vs +14.61% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLV or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 13.6% for QLV. Worst drawdown: QLV -34.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both QLV and VTI?
QLV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 VTI?
At least 89.7% of QLV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 99 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in QLV and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLV or VTI?
QLV yields 1.49% while VTI yields 1.03%, so QLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than QLV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.