QLVD vs VXUS
Northern Trust Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, QLVD or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.93% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 209 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.22% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.66% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.19% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.99% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9%Best | 16.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.4%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,019 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2019 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 4, 2026 (7.1 years).
QLVD vs VXUS 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 7.1 years both funds cover.
QLVD vs VXUS Performance
Northern Trust Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility ETF (QLVD) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QLVD returned +14.66% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, QLVD is up 11.22% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, QLVD compounded at +15.19% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.99% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +10.04% annualized vs +7.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% 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 -35.1% for VXUS. 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
QLVD charges 0.12% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $5 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLVD currently yields 2.93% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 71.2% of QLVD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% 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 QLVD is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
123 positions in common, counted across the 173 positions we hold weights for in QLVD and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 209 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QLVD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 3.57% | 0.65% | 2.92% |
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 2.40% | 1.70% | 0.70% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 2.95% | 0.64% | 2.31% |
| ULVR:LNUnilever Plc Ord Gbp.0311 | 2.13% | 0.28% | 1.85% |
| NESN:SMNestlã S.A., Registered Shares | 1.52% | 0.59% | 0.93% |
| CM:CACanadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 1.77% | 0.23% | 1.54% |
| IBE:MAIberdrola Sa | 1.52% | 0.37% | 1.15% |
| DBSM:SIDbs Group Holdings-spon A | 1.56% | 0.23% | 1.33% |
| 8058:JPMitsubishi Corp | 1.56% | 0.19% | 1.37% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 1.12% | 0.45% | 0.67% |
71.2% of QLVD is already inside VXUS.
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, QLVD or VXUS?
QLVD has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLVD or VXUS?
Over the past year QLVD returned +14.66% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), QLVD annualized +7.26% vs +10.04% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLVD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 12.9% for QLVD. Worst drawdown: QLVD -28.4% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both QLVD and VXUS?
QLVD and VXUS 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 QLVD and VXUS?
At least 71.2% of QLVD's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 123 positions in common, counted across the 173 positions we hold weights for in QLVD and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLVD or VXUS?
QLVD yields 2.93% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so QLVD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than QLVD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.