QLVE ETF — FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund

FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLVE)

Updated October 16, 2026.

QLVE is a low-cost ETF. its distribution rate is 2.96%, its trailing-12-month yield is 3.13%, its expense ratio is 0.18%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 67/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 57.4% over the past 7.3 years, 125.4 points behind SPY at 182.8%.

FlexShares Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index Fund is an ETF that tracks an index of high-quality emerging market companies selected for their lower volatility characteristics relative to the broader emerging market universe. The fund distributes quarterly, with a modest current distribution rate and an expense ratio of 0.18%. It appeals to international equity investors seeking exposure to emerging markets with reduced price swings, though note that the latest distribution included a special payout that may not recur as part of the regular quarterly schedule.

QLVE performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 57.4% over the past 7.3 years, 125.4 points behind SPY at 182.8%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 14.5%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 11.6%.

QLVE key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

67 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.98%

Issuer

Northern Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

07/15/2019

Expense ratio

0.18%

Distribution rate

2.96%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

3.13%

Last close

$32.56 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$16,962,517

Average volume

30.0

Dividend

$0.34

Ex-dividend date

09/18/2026

Payment date

09/24/2026

Beta

0.82

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.96%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (3.13%) 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.

QLVE risks and drawbacks

QLVE'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 11.6%.

Who may consider QLVE — and who may not

QLVE 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 (QLVE 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 QLVE

• All tickers starting with Q

Tagged: Emerging Markets, International, Index.

Frequently asked questions

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