FV vs. QUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FV (First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - FV tracks the Dorsey Wright Focus Five Index while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FV returned 13.45%/yr vs 13.67%/yr for QUS. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FV charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

FV vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF (FV) 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, FV achieves a 18.14% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 6.67% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FV having a 13.45% annualized return and QUS not far ahead at 13.67%.

FV

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: 11.69%
• YTD: 18.14%
• 6M: 18.84%
• 1Y: 28.90%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: 10.37%
• 10Y*: 13.45%

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)

FV vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FV First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF	18.14%	7.23%	14.73%	11.34%	-3.93%	21.63%	28.36%	25.73%	-8.27%	19.97%
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 FV and QUS is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 17, 2015	0.75

The correlation between FV and QUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

FV vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FV	QUS
Technology	29.0%	26.3%
Industrials	27.8%	8.6%
Financial Services	19.8%	14.6%
Healthcare	19.4%	13.4%
Energy	17.5%	4.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	5.8%
Communication Services	6.3%	10.2%
Real Estate	0.7%	1.4%
Basic Materials	-	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	9.2%
Utilities	-	3.6%

Return for Risk

FV vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FV

FV Risk / Return Rank: 51
FV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
FV Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FV Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FV Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
FV Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

FV vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF (FV) 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.

	FV	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	1.95	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.81	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.35	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	2.59	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.12	11.54	-3.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FV vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FV Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FV 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

	FV	QUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	1.95	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.78	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.83	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.77	-0.19

Drawdowns

FV vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FV drawdown since its inception was -34.04%, roughly equal to the maximum QUS drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FV and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FV	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.04%	-33.78%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.45%	-6.85%	-6.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.08%	-13.94%	-9.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.08%	-22.30%	-0.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.04%	-33.78%	-0.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.50%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.80%	-3.70%	-2.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	1.53%	+2.04%

Volatility

FV vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF (FV) has a higher volatility of 4.25% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 1.78%. This indicates that FV'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

	FV	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.25%	1.78%	+2.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.54%	6.66%	+5.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.22%	9.09%	+6.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	14.33%	+6.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.42%	16.42%	+5.00%

FV vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FV has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

FV vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

FV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than QUS's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FV First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF	0.52%	0.63%	0.14%	0.47%	1.38%	0.11%	0.06%	0.56%	0.19%	0.67%	0.95%	0.14%
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 FV and QUS in my portfolio?

FV and QUS have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FV or QUS?

FV has higher volatility (4.25%) compared to QUS (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FV dropped -34.04% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, FV or QUS?

On 10-year performance, QUS leads with 13.67% vs 13.45% for FV. 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, FV or QUS?

Over the 10-year period, QUS has performed better with a 13.67% return vs 13.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FV or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for FV.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.52% for FV.

What is the main difference between FV and QUS?

FV tracks Dorsey Wright Focus Five Index, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for FV and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.91), 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.