QDEF - ETF AI Analysis
Top Page
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF)
QDEF, the FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund, earns a solid overall rating thanks to its heavy exposure to high-quality tech leaders like Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet, whose strong financial performance and growth in areas like cloud and AI support the fund’s long-term potential. The presence of weaker names such as Philip Morris, which faces high leverage and a bearish technical outlook, slightly weighs on the rating. A key risk is the fund’s concentration in large technology-related companies, which can increase volatility if that sector faces a downturn.
QDEF vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
- AUM
- 556.07M
- Region
- North America
- Expense Ratio
- 0.39%
- Beta
- 0.73
- Issuer
- Northern Trust
- Inception Date
- Dec 14, 2012
- Dividend Yield
- 1.57%
- Asset Class
- Equity
- Index Tracked
- Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive (TR)
QDEF Summary
QDEF is an ETF that follows the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, focusing on U.S. companies that pay steady dividends and are considered financially strong. It holds many well-known names such as Apple and Microsoft, along with firms in health care, finance, and consumer goods, giving investors broad exposure to the overall market. Someone might invest in QDEF to seek a mix of income from dividends and potential long-term growth, while aiming for a smoother ride during market ups and downs. A key risk is that it still invests in stocks, so its value can go up and down with the market.
How much will it cost me?
This ETF has an expense ratio of 0.39%, which means you’ll pay about $3.90 per year for every $1,000 you invest. That’s a bit higher than the cheapest index ETFs because it tracks a more specialized, rules-based defensive dividend index rather than a plain-vanilla broad market index.
What would affect this ETF?
QDEF could benefit if large U.S. technology and health care companies like Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft keep growing earnings and continue paying reliable dividends, and if economic conditions remain steady or improve, supporting defensive, dividend-focused stocks. On the other hand, rising interest rates, tighter regulations on big tech or banks, or a broad U.S. market downturn could hurt these sectors and reduce demand for dividend strategies, which would weigh on the ETF’s performance.
QDEF Top 10 Holdings
QDEF leans heavily on U.S. Big Tech, with Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia acting as the main engines of performance. Apple and Microsoft have been steadily rising, giving the fund a solid backbone, while Nvidia’s more mixed, recently lagging run adds some bumpiness to the ride. Alphabet’s twin share classes have been losing steam, quietly dragging on returns despite strong long-term stories. On the defensive side, healthcare names like Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson are climbing, helping balance out the tech-heavy, all‑U.S. tilt of this dividend-focused ETF.
| Name | Company Name | Weight % | Market Value | Market Cap | Yearly Gain | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 AAPL | Apple | 9.32% | $51.30M | $5.03T | 26.98% | 79Outperform |
 NVDA | Nvidia | 6.75% | $37.12M | $4.93T | 0.86% | 76Outperform |
 MSFT | Microsoft | 4.64% | $25.51M | $3.88T | -0.73% | 79Outperform |
 JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 2.94% | $16.18M | $657.68B | 44.51% | 78Outperform |
 AVGO | Broadcom | 2.64% | $14.50M | $1.56T | -13.38% | 76Outperform |
 PM | Philip Morris | 2.26% | $12.41M | $325.43B | 43.24% | 61Neutral |
 LLY | Eli Lilly & Co | 2.18% | $12.02M | $1.33T | 67.86% | 72Outperform |
 JPM | JPMorgan Chase | 2.05% | $11.27M | $895.92B | 8.92% | 72Outperform |
 GOOGL | Alphabet Class A | 1.94% | $10.69M | $3.41T | -0.58% | 85Outperform |
 GOOG | Alphabet Class C | 1.56% | $8.58M | $3.41T | -1.31% | 82Outperform |
QDEF Technical Analysis
Price Trends
Market Momentum
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in ETF analysis to make informed investment decisions. For QDEF, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 90.66 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 90.96, above the 50-day MA of 90.50, and above the 200-day MA of 86.07, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.25 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 48.87 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 55.61 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for QDEF.
QDEF Peer Comparison
Comparison Results
| Name | Price | Price Target | AUM | Expense Ratio | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QDEF | $90.66 | $102.00(12.51% Upside) | $556.07M | 0.39% | 74Outperform |
 HLAL | $71.52 | $91.44(27.85% Upside) | $972.36M | 0.50% | 76Outperform |
 SEUS | $25.65 | $30.86(20.30% Upside) | $946.37M | 0.30% | 73Outperform |
 AUSF | $51.89 | $57.31(10.44% Upside) | $902.41M | 0.27% | 71Outperform |
 BGDV | $31.27 | $37.14(18.78% Upside) | $877.55M | 0.45% | 74Outperform |
 AAUB | $49.94 | $60.70(21.54% Upside) | $845.51M | 0.10% | 66Neutral |
Performance Comparison
| Show on chart | Ticker | Company Name | Price | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QDEF | FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund | 90.66 | 12.14 | 15.47% | |
| HLAL | Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF | 71.52 | 10.37 | 16.96% | |
| SEUS | SEI QiM U.S. Equity Factor Allocation Active ETF | 25.65 | 0.39 | 1.53% | |
| AUSF | Global X Adaptive U.S. Factor ETF | 51.89 | 8.17 | 18.69% | |
| BGDV | Bahl & Gaynor Dividend ETF | 31.27 | 5.03 | 19.16% | |
| AAUB | Alpha Architect US Equity 4 ETF | 49.94 | 0.45 | 0.91% |
This AI Analyst ETF Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in ETFs carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.