FTAG vs. QUS

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

FTAG (First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF) and QUS (State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - FTAG tracks the Indxx Global Agriculture Index while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTAG returned 5.51%/yr vs 13.70%/yr for QUS. Their 0.46 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FTAG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

FTAG vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) 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, FTAG achieves a 12.70% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 11.77% return. Over the past 10 years, FTAG has underperformed QUS with an annualized return of 5.51%, while QUS has yielded a comparatively higher 13.70% annualized return.

FTAG

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: -0.09%
• 6M: 2.33%
• YTD: 12.70%
• 1Y: 13.58%
• 3Y*: 3.54%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 5.51%
• ALL TIME*: -8.03%

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)
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	$83.65K	$66.15K	$180.76K
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	$3.23M	$4.78M	$3.45M

FTAG vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	12.70%	14.82%	-6.72%	-7.28%	-4.52%	17.31%	13.88%	9.05%	-19.46%	24.88%
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	11.77%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	12.40%	32.45%	-3.66%	21.67%

Correlation

The correlation between FTAG and QUS is 0.43, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2015	0.46

The correlation between FTAG and QUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (1 year) to 0.58 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTAG vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTAG	QUS
Basic Materials	52.5%	2.2%
Industrials	25.4%	8.1%
Healthcare	10.0%	14.4%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.5%	5.7%
Communication Services	-	8.2%
Energy	-	3.3%
Financial Services	-	15.7%
Real Estate	-	1.6%
Technology	-	28.4%
Utilities	-	3.9%

Return for Risk

FTAG vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTAG

FTAG Risk / Return Rank: 34
FTAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
FTAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
FTAG Omega Ratio Rank: 33
FTAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FTAG Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

FTAG vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) 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.

	FTAG	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	2.17	-1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	3.07	-1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.39	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	2.92	-1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.13	13.04	-9.91

FTAG vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTAG Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTAG 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

FTAG vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTAG drawdown since its inception was -90.89%, which is greater than QUS's maximum drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTAG and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTAG	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.89%	-33.78%	-57.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-6.85%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.74%	-13.94%	-6.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.77%	-22.30%	-10.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.79%	-33.78%	-17.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-78.20%	0.00%	-78.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-71.30%	-3.66%	-67.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.34%	1.53%	+2.81%

Volatility

FTAG vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) has a higher volatility of 3.83% compared to State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 2.76%. This indicates that FTAG'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

	FTAG	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	2.76%	+1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.27%	7.08%	+4.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.30%	9.29%	+5.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	14.34%	+3.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.45%	16.40%	+3.05%

FTAG vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTAG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTAG vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

FTAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%, more than QUS's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	1.29%	1.39%	2.89%	3.68%	1.77%	1.58%	1.72%	2.33%	2.16%	1.26%	0.61%	1.35%
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 FTAG and QUS in my portfolio?

FTAG and QUS have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTAG or QUS?

FTAG has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to QUS (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTAG dropped -90.89% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, FTAG or QUS?

On 10-year performance, QUS leads with 13.70% vs 5.51% for FTAG. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. 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, FTAG or QUS?

Over the 10-year period, QUS has performed better with a 13.70% return vs 5.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTAG or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTAG.

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

FTAG has the higher dividend yield at 1.29%, compared with 1.25% for QUS.

What is the main difference between FTAG and QUS?

FTAG tracks Indxx Global Agriculture Index, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTAG and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 0.95), 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.