AVSU vs. QUS

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

AVSU (Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF) and QUS (State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - AVSU tracks the Russell 3000 Index while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSU returned 21.41%/yr vs 17.65%/yr for QUS. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

AVSU vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) and State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVSU achieves a 19.02% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 11.77% return.

AVSU

• 1D: 1.94%
• 1M: 3.26%
• 6M: 14.92%
• YTD: 19.02%
• 1Y: 30.69%
• 3Y*: 21.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.88%

QUS

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: 2.71%
• 6M: 9.58%
• YTD: 11.77%
• 1Y: 19.92%
• 3Y*: 17.65%
• 5Y*: 11.10%
• 10Y*: 13.70%
• ALL TIME*: 12.89%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	$820.99K	$748.39K	$782.91K
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	$3.23M	$4.78M	$3.45M

AVSU vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	19.02%	16.69%	19.16%	24.50%	-10.86%
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	11.77%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-6.87%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSU and QUS is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 17, 2022	0.93

The correlation between AVSU and QUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (1 year) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AVSU vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVSU	QUS
Technology	36.9%	28.4%
Financial Services	18.1%	15.7%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	5.7%
Communication Services	9.6%	8.2%
Healthcare	9.0%	14.4%
Industrials	8.5%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	8.3%
Basic Materials	1.0%	2.2%
Utilities	0.3%	3.9%
Real Estate	0.2%	1.6%
Energy	0.0%	3.3%

Return for Risk

AVSU vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AVSU

AVSU Risk / Return Rank: 82
AVSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AVSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AVSU Omega Ratio Rank: 81
AVSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
AVSU Martin Ratio Rank: 85

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 82
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
QUS Martin Ratio Rank: 84

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AVSU vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) and State Street 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.

	AVSU	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.17	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	3.07	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.39	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	2.92	+0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.55	13.04	+0.51

AVSU vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSU Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSU and QUS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AVSU vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSU drawdown since its inception was -21.67%, smaller than the maximum QUS drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSU and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSU	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.67%	-33.78%	+12.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.06%	-6.85%	-3.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.16%	-13.94%	-6.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.30%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.30%	-3.66%	-1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.27%	1.53%	+0.74%

Volatility

AVSU vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) has a higher volatility of 4.70% compared to State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 2.76%. This indicates that AVSU'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.

Volatility by Period

	AVSU	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.70%	2.76%	+1.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.69%	7.08%	+4.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	9.29%	+5.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.84%	14.34%	+3.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.84%	16.40%	+1.44%

AVSU vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AVSU and QUS have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AVSU vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

AVSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than QUS's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	0.87%	1.03%	1.22%	1.22%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	1.25%	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

Can I hold both AVSU and QUS in my portfolio?

AVSU and QUS have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVSU or QUS?

AVSU has higher volatility (4.70%) compared to QUS (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSU dropped -21.67% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, AVSU or QUS?

On 3-year performance, AVSU leads with 21.41% vs 17.65% for QUS. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSU or QUS?

Over the 3-year period, AVSU has performed better with a 21.41% return vs 17.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSU or QUS?

AVSU and QUS have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVSU or QUS?

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.87% for AVSU.

What is the main difference between AVSU and QUS?

AVSU tracks Russell 3000 Index, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and State Street.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 2.14), 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.