QLVD ETF — FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund

FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVD)

Updated October 16, 2026.

QLVD is a low-cost ETF. its distribution rate is 2.28%, its trailing-12-month yield is 3.04%, its expense ratio is 0.12%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 71/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 66.8% over the past 7.3 years, 116.0 points behind SPY at 182.8%.

FlexShares Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund is an ETF that tracks an index of high-quality companies in developed markets outside the U.S., selected for lower overall volatility characteristics. The fund carries a modest expense ratio of 0.12% and distributes quarterly at a modest current distribution rate. It may appeal to income-oriented investors seeking equity exposure to developed international markets with an emphasis on quality and lower volatility.

QLVD performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 66.8% over the past 7.3 years, 116.0 points behind SPY at 182.8%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 13.1%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 8.1%.

QLVD key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

71 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.62%

Issuer

Northern Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

07/15/2019

Expense ratio

0.12%

Distribution rate

2.28%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

3.04%

Last close

$34.05 (stale; as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$51,075,747

Average volume

2200.0

Dividend

$0.194

Ex-dividend date

09/18/2026

Payment date

09/24/2026

Beta

0.65

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.28%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (3.04%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Northern Trust; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

QLVD risks and drawbacks

QLVD's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 8.1%.

Who may consider QLVD — and who may not

QLVD may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (QLVD pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on QLVD

• All tickers starting with Q

Tagged: International, Index.

Frequently asked questions

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