QDEF vs QDF
Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF vs Northern Trust Quality Dividend ETF
Which is better, QDEF or QDF?
Each has led over a different period.
QDEF led over 3Y and 5Y, QDF over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. QDEF is less concentrated, with 36.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.3%.
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 | QDEF | QDF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37%Tie | 0.37%Tie |
| AUM | $555M | $2.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.60% | 1.52% |
| Holdings | 137 | 146 |
| YTD Return | +12.91%Best | +12.89% |
| 1Y Return | +16.44% | +17.43%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.19%Best | +19.13% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.98%Best | +11.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.2%Best | -37.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,408Best | $17,537 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.5%Best | 39.3% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Northern Trust Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 14, 2012 | Dec 14, 2012 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 19, 2012 to Oct 14, 2026 (13.8 years).
QDEF vs QDF 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 13.8 years both funds cover.
QDEF vs QDF Performance
Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF (QDEF) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Northern Trust Quality Dividend ETF (QDF) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management. Over the past year QDEF returned +16.44% while QDF returned +17.43%. Year to date, QDEF is up 12.91% versus a gain of 12.89% for QDF.
Over three years, QDEF compounded at +20.19% per year against +19.13% for QDF; over five years the annualized figures are +12.98% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, QDF has the edge at +10.55% annualized vs +10.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QDF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 13.3% 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 -36.2% for QDEF and -37.2% for QDF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QDEF charges 0.37% per year while QDF charges 0.37%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $37 annually. On income, QDEF currently yields 1.60% against 1.52% for QDF.
Holdings Overlap
83.4% of QDEF's money is in holdings QDF also owns. 85.6% of QDF's money is in holdings QDEF also owns.
Most of QDF is already inside QDEF. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
104 positions in common, counted across the 154 positions we hold weights for in QDEF and 140 in QDF, against full books of 137 and 146.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 35 positions for QDF that do not appear in our book for QDEF (13.5% of the fund), and 47 for QDEF that do not appear in QDF (14.8%).
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 QDEF | Weight in QDF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.95% | 9.39% | 0.44% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.39% | 8.02% | 0.63% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.55% | 4.55% | 0.00% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.80% | 2.88% | 0.08% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.66% | 2.59% | 0.07% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.35% | 2.31% | 0.04% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 1.58% | 2.99% | 1.41% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.01% | 2.45% | 0.44% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 2.06% | 1.88% | 0.18% |
| KLACKla-tencor | 1.85% | 1.83% | 0.02% |
85.6% of QDF is already inside QDEF.
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, QDEF or QDF?
QDEF has an expense ratio of 0.37% while QDF charges 0.37%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, QDEF or QDF?
Over the past year QDEF returned +16.44% vs +17.43% for QDF, so QDF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), QDEF annualized +10.54% vs +10.55% for QDF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QDEF or QDF?
QDF has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 13.3% for QDEF. Worst drawdown: QDEF -36.2% vs QDF -37.2%.
Should I hold both QDEF and QDF?
QDEF and QDF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 QDEF and QDF?
85.6% of QDF's money is in holdings QDEF also owns. 85.6% of QDF's is in holdings QDEF also owns. They hold 104 positions in common, counted across the 154 positions we hold weights for in QDEF and 140 in QDF.
Which pays a higher dividend, QDEF or QDF?
QDEF yields 1.60% while QDF yields 1.52%, so QDEF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QDF better than QDEF?
QDEF led over 3Y and 5Y, QDF over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. QDEF is less concentrated, with 36.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.