JHEM vs QLVE

JHEMCJohn Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF

QLVEBNorthern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility ETF

In short

JHEM Dimensional designs the index, John Hancock wraps it in an ETF: roughly 900 emerging-market stocks, sorted country by country toward cheaper, more profitable, smaller companies. Fee is 0.49%, net of a waiver through July 31, 2027.

QLVE Most emerging-markets factor funds chase value. QLVE goes the other way: cut the weakest fifth on quality, then optimize what is left toward lower volatility. Cost is 0.18% net of a waiver through March 1, 2027.

Stated mandate

JHEM The fund seeks, before fees and expenses, investment results that closely correspond to the performance of the John Hancock Dimensional Emerging Markets Index.

QLVE The Fund is designed for investors seeking emerging-markets exposure with an emphasis on quality and low volatility. It seeks to match, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Northern Trust Emerging Markets Quality Low Volatility Index.

Why people hold it

• JHEM Dimensional Fund Advisors builds and maintains the index, classifying stocks country by country on market cap, relative price and profitability.sec.gov
• Wide net: roughly 900 names drawn from the top 80% of each eligible country's market cap, with frontier markets allowed in.sec.gov
• 0.49% net of a waiver through July 31, 2027 (0.58% before it) lands near the category median fee.
• Running since 2018 on the same Dimensional index, so there is a real multi-year record behind the rules.

• QLVE At 0.18% net of a waiver through March 1, 2027, it undercuts every top-scoring fund in its peer group, including EMGF at 0.26% and FDEM at 0.25%.
• The index cuts the lowest-quality fifth of emerging-markets large and mid caps on profitability, cash flow and capital deployment, then optimizes the rest for lower volatility.flexshares.comnortherntrust.com
• Sector, industry and country weights are held within set bands of the parent benchmark and turnover is capped near 12% a rebalance, curbing the sector drift low-vol screens invite.northerntrust.comsec.gov
• Sits in the upper half of its emerging-markets factor peer group and has stayed close to its stated index.

Worth knowing

• JHEM Cheaper routes to emerging-market factors exist: EMGF charges 0.26% and FDEM 0.25%, neither under a waiver.
• Dimensional sells the value tilt directly now, via DFEV at 0.43% net of a waiver through February 28, 2027.
• Distributions come once or twice a year, not quarterly, and the frontier-market allowance can pull in thinner markets.sec.gov

• QLVE Thinly traded with a small asset base, so spreads can run wider than the category heavyweights and limit orders matter more.
• Roughly 160 holdings with meaningful weight in the largest names, so it is more top-heavy than a broad emerging-markets index fund.
• Lower volatility is the design goal, not an outcome the fund controls: the index aims to be calmer than its parent, and the fund tracks it either way.sec.govflexshares.com

Full JHEM profile⁠

Full QLVE profile⁠