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Upturn AI Summary
FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund(QLV)
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)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for QLV
11/06/2026: QLV (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) provides targeted exposure to US companies that exhibit both high-quality financials and low-volatility price characteristics. By blending these two factors, the fund seeks to offer a defensive, risk-managed way to participate in the stock market, making it a strong choice for conservative investors or those seeking a core portfolio stabilizer. While it may lag during rapid bull markets, its primary strength lies in its potential to mitigate drawdowns during periods of high market stress. Potential investors should monitor interest rate trends and factor performance, as these can influence the fund's success. It serves as a balanced, institutional-grade alternative to the larger, pure-play low-volatility funds in the marketplace.
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 defensive tilt may lag during high-growth, momentum-driven market cycles. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | This fund prioritizes lower volatility over price momentum, which can lead to underperformance during strong, upward market trends. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The quality screen inherently favors companies with stable cash flows and robust financial health, which often align with value characteristics. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Mixed fit | While not a dedicated dividend fund, many high-quality, low-volatility stocks are dividend-paying companies, providing moderate income potential. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | The strategy is explicitly designed to reduce portfolio volatility and provide a more stable return profile compared to the broader market. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is one seeking exposure to US stocks with a preference for risk management and financial stability over aggressive short-term growth.
Suitability
Best suited for long-term, 'buy and hold' investors looking for a core equity building block that aims to reduce downside participation.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Low | The primary objective of the fund is to dampen price swings, though market-wide volatility still impacts returns. |
| Market risk | Medium | As an equity ETF, it remains fully exposed to systematic risks inherent in the US stock market. |
| Concentration | Medium | The sector-neutral or quality-weighting approach may lead to overweighting certain defensive industries. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | The fund has a competitive expense ratio and has historically maintained low tracking error relative to its index. |
| Liquidity | Low | Underlying holdings are large-cap, highly liquid stocks, minimizing risk regarding trade execution. |
| Business/sector quality | Low | By screening for quality, the fund inherently avoids companies with poor financials or unstable business models. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
QLV historically exhibits lower standard deviation compared to the S&P 500.
Market Risk
Risks include broad economic downturns and systematic equity market declines that affect all large-cap domestic stocks.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market capitalization | US Large/Mid-Cap Equities | 98.5 | The fund holds a broad basket of US stocks selected for high quality and low volatility metrics. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1.5 | A small portion of the portfolio is held in cash for liquidity and operational purposes. |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 30.46% | Avg. Invested days 74 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | ETF Returns Performance |

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