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FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
03/06/2025: QDEF (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 15.13% | Avg. Invested days 59 | Today’s Advisory WEAK BUY |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | ETF Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Volume (30-day avg) 11618 | Beta 0.85 | 52 Weeks Range 59.59 - 73.17 | Updated Date 03/28/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 59.59 - 73.17 | Updated Date 03/28/2025 |
Upturn AI SWOT
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund
ETF Overview
Overview
The FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) aims to provide current income and capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying, high-quality, and defensively oriented companies.
Reputation and Reliability
Northern Trust is a well-established and reputable financial institution with a long history of managing investment products.
Management Expertise
Northern Trust has a dedicated team of investment professionals with experience in managing ETFs and dividend-focused strategies.
Investment Objective
Goal
Seeks current income and capital appreciation.
Investment Approach and Strategy
Strategy: Tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, which selects companies based on quality, dividend yield, and defensive characteristics.
Composition Primarily holds dividend-paying stocks, typically with a focus on large- and mid-cap companies.
Market Position
Market Share: QDEF's market share is moderate within the dividend ETF segment.
Total Net Assets (AUM): 172965602.67
Competitors
Key Competitors
- SCHD
- DGRO
- VIG
Competitive Landscape
The dividend ETF market is highly competitive. QDEF differentiates itself through its focus on quality, dividend yield, and defensive characteristics. SCHD is a low-cost option while DGRO focuses on dividend growth and VIG focuses on dividend appreciation. QDEF's focus makes it suitable for investors seeking a more risk-averse approach to dividend investing, but its expense ratio is usually slightly higher.
Financial Performance
Historical Performance: Historical performance varies depending on the period. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Benchmark Comparison: Performance should be compared against its benchmark index, the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, to assess tracking effectiveness.
Expense Ratio: 0.29
Liquidity
Average Trading Volume
QDEF has moderate average daily trading volume which allows for relatively easy order execution for most investors.
Bid-Ask Spread
The bid-ask spread is generally reasonable, but can widen during periods of market volatility.
Market Dynamics
Market Environment Factors
Economic indicators, interest rates, and sector performance influence the ETF's returns. Defensive sectors tend to perform well during economic downturns.
Growth Trajectory
Growth depends on continued investor demand for defensive dividend strategies. Changes in the underlying index methodology can also impact the ETF's holdings and performance.
Moat and Competitive Advantages
Competitive Edge
QDEF's competitive advantage lies in its multi-factor approach, combining quality, dividend yield, and defensive characteristics. This integrated approach seeks to provide a balance between income, capital appreciation, and downside protection. The index screens for companies with strong financial health, consistent dividend payments, and lower volatility. This targeted approach may appeal to investors seeking a more conservative dividend strategy compared to broader dividend ETFs. Finally, Northern Trust's established reputation adds credibility.
Risk Analysis
Volatility
QDEF is designed to be less volatile than the broader market, but it is still subject to market fluctuations.
Market Risk
The ETF is exposed to market risk associated with equity investments, including sector-specific and company-specific risks. Changes in dividend policies or financial health of holdings can impact the ETF's performance.
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
Ideal investors are those seeking current income, capital appreciation, and downside protection, and who are comfortable with moderate risk.
Market Risk
QDEF is suitable for long-term investors who prioritize stability and income over high growth. It can serve as a core holding in a diversified portfolio.
Summary
The FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) aims to provide income and capital appreciation through a portfolio of high-quality, dividend-paying companies with defensive characteristics. Its multi-factor approach integrates quality, dividend yield, and defensive traits, making it attractive to risk-averse investors. However, its expense ratio is a little higher than some competitors. The ETF is suitable for investors who prioritize stability and are willing to accept moderate growth for income and downside protection in their portfolio.
Similar Companies
- VYM
- DVY
- SPYD
- RDIV
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Northern Trust Asset Management Website
- ETF.com
- Morningstar
Disclaimers:
The data and analysis provided are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment decisions should be based on your own research and risk tolerance.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund
Exchange NYSE ARCA | Headquaters - | ||
IPO Launch date - | CEO - | ||
Sector - | Industry - | Full time employees - | Website |
Full time employees - | Website |
The underlying index is designed to reflect the performance of a selection of companies that, in aggregate, provide exposure to a high quality income-oriented universe of long-only U.S. equity securities, with an emphasis on long-term capital growth and a targeted overall beta that is generally between 0.5 to 1.0 times that of the Northern Trust 1250 Index, a float-adjusted market-capitalization weighted index of U.S. domiciled large- and mid-capitalization companies.
Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.