EEM vs QLVE
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF vs Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility ETF
Which is better, EEM or QLVE?
Nearly the same fund. QLVE costs less.
QLVE has a lower expense ratio. EEM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, QLVE over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. QLVE is less concentrated, with 38.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.4%.
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 | EEM | QLVE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.72% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $30.4B | $17M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.67% | 3.02% |
| Holdings | 1,224 | 169 |
| YTD Return | +15.09%Best | +12.55% |
| 1Y Return | +23.94%Best | +18.18% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.98%Best | +17.74% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.13% | +7.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.8% | -30.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,111 | $14,403Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.4% | 38.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Northern Trust Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 7, 2003 | Jul 15, 2019 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2019 to Oct 14, 2026 (7.2 years).
EEM vs QLVE 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.
EEM vs QLVE Performance
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility ETF (QLVE) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management. Over the past year EEM returned +23.94% while QLVE returned +18.18%. Year to date, EEM is up 15.09% versus a gain of 12.55% for QLVE.
Over three years, EEM compounded at +21.98% per year against +17.74% for QLVE; over five years the annualized figures are +7.13% and +7.57% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, EEM has the edge at +7.54% annualized vs +6.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 13.1% for QLVE. 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 -39.8% for EEM and -30.0% for QLVE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EEM charges 0.72% per year while QLVE charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $72 vs $18 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EEM currently yields 1.67% against 3.02% for QLVE.
Holdings Overlap
35.5% of EEM's money is in holdings QLVE also owns. 65.7% of QLVE's money is in holdings EEM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
84 positions in common, counted across the 1,162 positions we hold weights for in EEM and 135 in QLVE, against full books of 1,224 and 169.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 0 positions for QLVE that do not appear in our book for EEM (0.6% of the fund), and 3 for EEM that do not appear in QLVE (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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EEM | Weight in QLVE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2330:TWTsmc (Equity) | 15.69% | 14.72% | 0.97% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc | 6.03% | 4.82% | 1.21% |
| 2454:TWMediatek Inc | 1.82% | 1.56% | 0.26% |
| 005935:KRSamsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (preference Shares) | 0.98% | 2.11% | 1.13% |
| 1398:HKIndustrial And Commercial Bank Of China Ltd Class H | 0.52% | 2.26% | 1.74% |
| 2303:TWUnited Microelectronics Corp | 0.46% | 1.35% | 0.89% |
| 3988:HKBank Of China Ltd Class H | 0.42% | 1.17% | 0.75% |
| PETR4:BVPetroleo Brasileiro Sa (Preference) | 0.35% | 1.18% | 0.83% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.94% | 0.53% | 0.41% |
| BHARTIARTL:MBBharti Airtel Ltd | 0.41% | 0.79% | 0.38% |
65.7% of QLVE is already inside EEM.
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, EEM or QLVE?
EEM has an expense ratio of 0.72% while QLVE charges 0.18%. QLVE is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EEM or QLVE?
Over the past year EEM returned +23.94% vs +18.18% for QLVE, so EEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), EEM annualized +7.54% vs +6.26% for QLVE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EEM or QLVE?
EEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 13.1% for QLVE. Worst drawdown: EEM -39.8% vs QLVE -30.0%.
Should I hold both EEM and QLVE?
EEM and QLVE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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 EEM and QLVE?
65.7% of QLVE's money is in holdings EEM also owns. 65.7% of QLVE's is in holdings EEM also owns. They hold 84 positions in common, counted across the 1,162 positions we hold weights for in EEM and 135 in QLVE.
Which pays a higher dividend, EEM or QLVE?
EEM yields 1.67% while QLVE yields 3.02%, so QLVE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QLVE better than EEM?
QLVE has a lower expense ratio. EEM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, QLVE over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. QLVE is less concentrated, with 38.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.