AFGR vs. QUS
AFGR (First Trust Active Factor Large Cap Growth ETF) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. AFGR is actively managed, while QUS is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AFGR returned 7.22%/yr vs 11.04%/yr for QUS. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AFGR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.
Performance
AFGR vs. QUS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AFGR achieves a 1.90% return, which is significantly lower than QUS's 6.99% return.
AFGR
- 1D
- 0.27%
- 1M
- 0.10%
- YTD
- 1.90%
- 6M
- 1.80%
- 1Y
- 12.07%
- 3Y*
- 19.38%
- 5Y*
- 7.22%
- 10Y*
- —
QUS
- 1D
- 0.42%
- 1M
- 1.61%
- YTD
- 6.99%
- 6M
- 6.98%
- 1Y
- 16.83%
- 3Y*
- 17.05%
- 5Y*
- 11.04%
- 10Y*
- 13.66%
AFGR vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFGR First Trust Active Factor Large Cap Growth ETF | 1.90% | 17.28% | 25.96% | 45.21% | -39.18% | 13.23% | 21.39% |
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF | 6.99% | 14.13% | 18.99% | 21.78% | -14.15% | 26.72% | 14.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between AFGR and QUS is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2020 | 0.77 |
The correlation between AFGR and QUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.79 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
AFGR vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank
AFGR
QUS
AFGR vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Active Factor Large Cap Growth ETF (AFGR) and SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AFGR | QUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.63 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.32 | -0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.61 | 2.47 | -1.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.74 | 10.98 | -9.24 |
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Drawdowns
AFGR vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AFGR drawdown since its inception was -45.97%, which is greater than QUS's maximum drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFGR and QUS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AFGR | QUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.97% | -33.78% | -12.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.89% | -6.85% | -13.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.57% | -13.94% | -12.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.97% | -22.30% | -23.67% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.78% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.84% | -0.52% | -4.32% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.30% | -3.69% | -10.61% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.94% | 1.55% | +5.39% |
Volatility
AFGR vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap Growth ETF (AFGR) has a higher volatility of 5.45% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 2.57%. This indicates that AFGR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AFGR | QUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.45% | 2.57% | +2.88% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.45% | 6.87% | +7.58% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.53% | 9.23% | +9.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.97% | 14.34% | +10.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.52% | 16.43% | +8.09% |
AFGR vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison
AFGR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
AFGR vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison
AFGR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFGR First Trust Active Factor Large Cap Growth ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF | 1.31% | 1.38% | 1.49% | 1.57% | 1.68% | 1.27% | 1.73% | 1.81% | 2.12% | 1.86% | 2.07% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
AFGR and QUS have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AFGR has higher volatility (5.45%) compared to QUS (2.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFGR dropped -45.97% vs QUS's -33.78%.
On 5-year performance, QUS leads with 11.04% vs 7.22% for AFGR. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, QUS has performed better with a 11.04% return vs 7.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for AFGR.
QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.00% for AFGR.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for AFGR and 0.15% for QUS.
QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 0.65), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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