ESGG vs. QUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESGG (FlexShares STOXX Global ESG Select Index Fund) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ESGG tracks the STOXX Global ESG Select KPIs Index while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGG returned 12.78%/yr vs 11.08%/yr for QUS. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESGG charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

ESGG vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares STOXX Global ESG Select Index Fund (ESGG) and 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, ESGG achieves a 14.72% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 6.67% return.

ESGG

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 8.86%
• YTD: 14.72%
• 6M: 16.28%
• 1Y: 31.41%
• 3Y*: 21.51%
• 5Y*: 12.78%
• 10Y*: —

QUS

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 6.67%
• 6M: 6.93%
• 1Y: 17.65%
• 3Y*: 17.53%
• 5Y*: 11.08%
• 10Y*: 13.67%

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

ESGG vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESGG FlexShares STOXX Global ESG Select Index Fund	14.72%	24.01%	14.48%	25.57%	-18.66%	23.76%	17.32%	29.10%	-8.44%	23.60%
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	6.67%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	12.40%	32.45%	-3.66%	21.67%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGG and QUS is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2016	0.84

The correlation between ESGG and QUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESGG vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGG	QUS
Technology	39.9%	26.3%
Financial Services	19.4%	14.6%
Healthcare	11.8%	13.4%
Industrials	5.2%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	9.2%
Energy	4.3%	4.6%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	5.8%
Basic Materials	2.4%	2.3%
Utilities	2.1%	3.6%
Real Estate	1.2%	1.4%
Communication Services	0.9%	10.2%

Return for Risk

ESGG vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ESGG

ESGG Risk / Return Rank: 78
ESGG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
ESGG Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
ESGG Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ESGG Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
ESGG Martin Ratio Rank: 79

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 57
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 55
QUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
QUS Martin Ratio Rank: 63

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ESGG vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX Global ESG Select Index Fund (ESGG) 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.

	ESGG	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	1.95	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	2.81	+0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.35	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	2.59	+0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.38	11.54	+3.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESGG vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGG Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is higher than the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGG 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESGG	QUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	1.95	+0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.78	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.77	+0.09

Drawdowns

ESGG vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGG drawdown since its inception was -32.31%, roughly equal to the maximum QUS drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGG and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGG	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.31%	-33.78%	+1.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.16%	-6.85%	-2.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.71%	-13.94%	-2.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.57%	-22.30%	-5.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-0.50%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.66%	-3.70%	-0.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.05%	1.53%	+0.52%

Volatility

ESGG vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares STOXX Global ESG Select Index Fund (ESGG) has a higher volatility of 3.76% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 1.78%. This indicates that ESGG'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

	ESGG	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.76%	1.78%	+1.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.67%	6.66%	+3.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.05%	9.09%	+2.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.04%	14.33%	+1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.51%	16.42%	+0.09%

ESGG vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGG has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGG vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

ESGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, less than QUS's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESGG FlexShares STOXX Global ESG Select Index Fund	1.21%	1.39%	1.84%	1.73%	1.83%	1.34%	1.36%	1.94%	2.12%	1.71%	0.87%	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

Can I hold both ESGG and QUS in my portfolio?

ESGG and QUS have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESGG or QUS?

ESGG has higher volatility (3.76%) compared to QUS (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGG dropped -32.31% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, ESGG or QUS?

On 5-year performance, ESGG leads with 12.78% vs 11.08% for QUS. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 1.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGG or QUS?

Over the 5-year period, ESGG has performed better with a 12.78% return vs 11.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGG or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for ESGG.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 1.21% for ESGG.

What is the main difference between ESGG and QUS?

ESGG tracks STOXX Global ESG Select KPIs Index, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for ESGG and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 1.95), 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.