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Upturn AI Summary
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund(QDEF)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for QDEF
10/28/2026: QDEF (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) provides exposure to high-quality U.S. companies that also exhibit defensive characteristics, aiming to offer better risk-adjusted returns than broad equity indices. Its main strengths include a rigorous, multi-factor selection process and the backing of Northern Trust, though it carries a higher expense ratio than some broad market dividend funds. QDEF functions effectively as a core portfolio holding for investors who want equity exposure but are concerned about market volatility. Risks include standard market exposure and the potential for the defensive strategy to underperform during strong momentum-led bull markets. The fund is best suited for conservative-to-moderate long-term investors who prioritize business quality and income stability.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | The fund's focus on defensive, quality stocks may underperform in high-growth, bull market environments. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The strategy is designed to dampen volatility rather than capitalize on short-term price momentum. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The quality focus often naturally aligns with value-oriented stock selection criteria. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Strong fit | The fund is specifically built to provide reliable income through high-quality, dividend-paying securities. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | The defensive screening process aims to provide lower volatility than standard equity benchmarks. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is a long-term, risk-conscious participant seeking a balance of equity growth, tax-efficient dividends, and reduced volatility.
Suitability
QDEF is best suited for long-term investors aiming to build a resilient core portfolio rather than for active traders.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium | While designed to be defensive, the fund remains subject to broad equity market price swings. |
| Market risk | Medium | General economic and market downturns will negatively impact the share price. |
| Concentration | Medium | The sector-specific defensive bias may lead to temporary underperformance if specific sectors fall out of favor. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | The fund maintains a reasonable expense ratio and tracks its index with high fidelity. |
| Liquidity | Low | The underlying assets are highly liquid, reducing the risk of significant execution costs. |
| Business/sector quality | Low | The quality-first mandate reduces the risk of investing in companies with weak fundamentals. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
QDEF exhibits lower historical volatility than the S&P 500, fulfilling its defensive mandate.
Market Risk
As an equity ETF, it is fully exposed to systemic market declines, though the defensive tilt seeks to dampen the magnitude of such declines.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity | U.S. Large-Cap Stocks | 95 | The fund primarily holds high-quality large-cap U.S. companies selected for stable earnings and dividend consistency. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 5 | A small cash position is maintained for liquidity and to facilitate fund operations. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Very Smooth
The stock has followed a highly orderly price path with minimal short-term disruption.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 41.82% | Avg. Invested days 83 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  4.0 | ETF Returns Performance  5.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/28/2026 |
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