GK vs. QUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GK (AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. GK is actively managed, while QUS is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GK returned 20.83%/yr vs 17.53%/yr for QUS. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

GK vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF (GK) 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, GK achieves a 17.29% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 6.67% return.

GK

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: 9.38%
• YTD: 17.29%
• 6M: 16.22%
• 1Y: 34.45%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

GK vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GK AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF	17.29%	17.78%	20.10%	21.19%	-42.76%	4.95%
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	6.67%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	8.80%

Correlation

The correlation between GK and QUS is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 6, 2021	0.80

The correlation between GK and QUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.80 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GK vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GK	QUS
Technology	38.9%	26.3%
Communication Services	16.6%	10.2%
Industrials	16.3%	8.6%
Healthcare	7.6%	13.4%
Financial Services	6.1%	14.6%
Utilities	4.5%	3.6%
Consumer Cyclical	3.0%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	9.2%
Basic Materials	-	2.3%
Energy	-	4.6%
Real Estate	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

GK vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

GK

GK Risk / Return Rank: 54
GK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
GK Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
GK Omega Ratio Rank: 57
GK Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
GK Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

GK vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF (GK) 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.

	GK	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	1.95	+0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	2.81	-0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.35	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	2.59	-0.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.76	11.54	-2.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GK vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GK Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GK 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

	GK	QUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	1.95	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.78	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.77	-0.61

Drawdowns

GK vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GK drawdown since its inception was -47.72%, which is greater than QUS's maximum drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GK and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	GK	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.72%	-33.78%	-13.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.13%	-6.85%	-8.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.62%	-13.94%	-9.68%
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	-0.42%	-0.50%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.00%	-3.70%	-20.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.94%	1.53%	+2.41%

Volatility

GK vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF (GK) has a higher volatility of 5.76% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 1.78%. This indicates that GK'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

	GK	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.76%	1.78%	+3.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.64%	6.66%	+6.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.30%	9.09%	+8.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.93%	14.33%	+9.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.93%	16.42%	+7.51%

GK vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

GK has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

GK vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

GK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, less than QUS's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GK AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF	0.07%	0.08%	0.00%	0.13%	1.30%	0.04%	0.00%	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

Can I hold both GK and QUS in my portfolio?

GK and QUS have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GK or QUS?

GK has higher volatility (5.76%) compared to QUS (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GK dropped -47.72% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, GK or QUS?

On 3-year performance, GK leads with 20.83% vs 17.53% 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, GK or QUS?

Over the 3-year period, GK has performed better with a 20.83% return vs 17.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GK or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GK.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.07% for GK.

What is the main difference between GK and QUS?

They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GK and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 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.