QLV vs VYM
Northern Trust US Quality Low Volatility ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, QLV or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QLV led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.8%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $167M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.49% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 122 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.95% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.13% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.70% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.41% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.0%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,407 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2019 to Sep 18, 2026 (7.2 years).
QLV vs VYM 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 VYM Performance
Northern Trust US Quality Low Volatility ETF (QLV) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QLV returned +13.13% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, QLV is up 10.95% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, QLV compounded at +15.70% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.41% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, QLV has the edge at +11.25% annualized vs +10.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% 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 -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLV charges 0.08% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $4 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLV currently yields 1.49% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
48.0% of QLV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 40.6% of VYM's money is in holdings QLV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
66 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in QLV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 122 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 463 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for QLV (57.7% of the fund), and 49 for QLV that do not appear in VYM (48.9%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.90% | 7.35% | 5.45% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 4.27% | 2.51% | 1.76% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.28% | 2.63% | 0.35% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.32% | 3.82% | 3.50% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.56% | 1.80% | 0.24% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.26% | 1.31% | 0.05% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.19% | 1.38% | 0.19% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 1.17% | 1.37% | 0.20% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.83% | 1.48% | 0.65% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.32% | 0.77% | 0.55% |
48.0% of QLV is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QLV or VYM?
QLV has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLV or VYM?
Over the past year QLV returned +13.13% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), QLV annualized +11.25% vs +10.97% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLV or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.6% for QLV. Worst drawdown: QLV -34.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both QLV and VYM?
QLV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QLV and VYM?
48.0% of QLV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 40.6% of VYM's is in holdings QLV also owns. They hold 66 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in QLV and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLV or VYM?
QLV yields 1.49% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than QLV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QLV led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.