QLVD vs VTI
Northern Trust Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, QLVD or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QLVD is less concentrated, with 21.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | QLVD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.90% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 209 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +7.23% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.35% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.26% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.81% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9%Best | 16.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.4%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,901 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.7%Best | 33.3% |
| 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 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2019 to Sep 18, 2026 (7.2 years).
QLVD 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.
QLVD vs VTI Performance
Northern Trust Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility ETF (QLVD) 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 QLVD returned +10.35% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, QLVD is up 7.23% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, QLVD compounded at +13.26% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.81% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.53% annualized vs +6.68%.
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 12.9% for QLVD. 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 -28.4% for QLVD 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLVD charges 0.12% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $3 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLVD currently yields 2.90% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
2.3% of QLVD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.2% of VTI's money is in holdings QLVD also owns.
QLVD and VTI share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 180 positions we hold weights for in QLVD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 209 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,147 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for QLVD (97.3% of the fund), and 2 for QLVD that do not appear in VTI (0.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QLVD and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QLVD or VTI?
QLVD has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLVD or VTI?
Over the past year QLVD returned +10.35% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), QLVD annualized +6.68% vs +14.53% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLVD or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 12.9% for QLVD. Worst drawdown: QLVD -28.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both QLVD and VTI?
QLVD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 QLVD and VTI?
2.3% of QLVD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.2% of VTI's is in holdings QLVD also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 180 positions we hold weights for in QLVD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLVD or VTI?
QLVD yields 2.90% while VTI yields 1.03%, so QLVD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than QLVD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QLVD is less concentrated, with 21.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.