MSLC vs QLV
Morgan Stanley Pathway Large Cap Equity ETF vs Northern Trust US Quality Low Volatility ETF
Which is better, MSLC or QLV?
MSLC has been ahead.
QLV has a lower expense ratio. MSLC led over 1Y and the full window. MSLC is less concentrated, with 35.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.8%.
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 | MSLC | QLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.08%Best |
| AUM | $4.1B | $171M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.95% | 1.50% |
| Holdings | 793 | 125 |
| YTD Return | +10.97% | +13.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.08%Best | +14.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.91% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.85% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.9% | 7.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.9% | -11.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $12,375Best | $12,188 |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.6%Best | 36.8% |
| Fund Family | Morgan Stanley | Northern Trust Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2024 | Jul 15, 2019 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 9, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
MSLC vs QLV 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
MSLC vs QLV Performance
Morgan Stanley Pathway Large Cap Equity ETF (MSLC) is an ETF from Morgan Stanley and Northern Trust US Quality Low Volatility ETF (QLV) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management. Over the past year MSLC returned +14.08% while QLV returned +14.01%. Year to date, MSLC is up 10.97% versus a gain of 13.30% for QLV.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MSLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 7.1% 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 -17.9% for MSLC and -11.6% for QLV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MSLC charges 0.39% per year while QLV charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $8 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MSLC currently yields 1.95% against 1.50% for QLV.
Holdings Overlap
52.6% of MSLC's money is in holdings QLV also owns. 86.4% of QLV's money is in holdings MSLC also owns.
Most of QLV is already inside MSLC. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
98 positions in common, counted across the 789 positions we hold weights for in MSLC and 120 in QLV, against full books of 793 and 125.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 15 positions for QLV that do not appear in our book for MSLC (10.3% of the fund), and 597 for MSLC that do not appear in QLV (44.4%).
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 MSLC | Weight in QLV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 7.04% | 6.86% | 0.18% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.55% | 6.58% | 1.03% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.80% | 6.09% | 0.29% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.07% | 2.46% | 1.61% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc-cl A | 3.23% | 1.94% | 1.29% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.61% | 4.25% | 3.64% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.49% | 1.81% | 0.68% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.07% | 2.38% | 1.31% |
| GOOGAlphabet, Inc.- Cl C | 1.95% | 1.47% | 0.48% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 2.31% | 1.04% | 1.27% |
86.4% of QLV is already inside MSLC.
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, MSLC or QLV?
MSLC has an expense ratio of 0.39% while QLV charges 0.08%. QLV is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MSLC or QLV?
Over the past year MSLC returned +14.08% vs +14.01% for QLV, so MSLC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MSLC annualized +12.57% vs +11.62% for QLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MSLC or QLV?
MSLC has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 7.1% for QLV. Worst drawdown: MSLC -17.9% vs QLV -11.6%.
Should I hold both MSLC and QLV?
MSLC and QLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 MSLC and QLV?
86.4% of QLV's money is in holdings MSLC also owns. 86.4% of QLV's is in holdings MSLC also owns. They hold 98 positions in common, counted across the 789 positions we hold weights for in MSLC and 120 in QLV.
Which pays a higher dividend, MSLC or QLV?
MSLC yields 1.95% while QLV yields 1.50%, so MSLC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QLV better than MSLC?
QLV has a lower expense ratio. MSLC led over 1Y and the full window. MSLC is less concentrated, with 35.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.