EQUL vs QDEF
NYLI Engender Equality ETF vs Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF
Which is better, EQUL or QDEF?
Each has led over a different period.
QDEF has a lower expense ratio. EQUL led over 1Y, QDEF over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | EQUL | QDEF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.37%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $555M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.77% | 1.60% |
| Holdings | 76 | 137 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.2% | -21.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $11,354 | $13,793Best |
| Fund Family | INDEXIQ ETF TRUST | Northern Trust Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2021 | Dec 14, 2012 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 694 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. EQUL has data through Nov 19, 2024 and QDEF through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 21, 2021 to Nov 19, 2024 (3.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EQUL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 15.4% for QDEF. 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 -25.2% for EQUL and -21.4% for QDEF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EQUL charges 0.45% per year while QDEF charges 0.37%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $37 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EQUL currently yields 1.77% against 1.60% for QDEF.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EQUL and QDEF 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, EQUL or QDEF?
EQUL has an expense ratio of 0.45% while QDEF charges 0.37%. QDEF is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, EQUL or QDEF?
EQUL has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 15.4% for QDEF. Worst drawdown: EQUL -25.2% vs QDEF -21.4%.
Should I hold both EQUL and QDEF?
EQUL and QDEF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, EQUL or QDEF?
EQUL yields 1.77% while QDEF yields 1.60%, so EQUL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QDEF better than EQUL?
QDEF has a lower expense ratio. EQUL led over 1Y, QDEF over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.