GQGU vs. QUS

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GQGU (GQG US Equity ETF) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. GQGU is actively managed, while QUS is passively managed. Over the past year, GQGU returned 7.17% vs 18.81% for QUS. Their 0.20 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GQGU charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

GQGU vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU) 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, GQGU achieves a 6.80% return, which is significantly lower than QUS's 9.32% return.

GQGU

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 1.17%
• 6M: 2.86%
• YTD: 6.80%
• 1Y: 7.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.35%

QUS

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 0.45%
• 6M: 7.38%
• YTD: 9.32%
• 1Y: 18.81%
• 3Y*: 16.09%
• 5Y*: 10.75%
• 10Y*: 13.56%
• ALL TIME*: 12.68%

*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)
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	$4.04M	$3.49M	$3.46M
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	$2.96M	$4.90M	$3.46M

GQGU vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	6.80%	-1.12%
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	9.32%	7.71%

Correlation

The correlation between GQGU and QUS is 0.19, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2025	0.20

Return for Risk

GQGU vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

GQGU

GQGU Risk / Return Rank: 26
GQGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GQGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
GQGU Omega Ratio Rank: 25
GQGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GQGU Martin Ratio Rank: 25

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 81
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 82
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.

GQGU vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU) 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.

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.

	GQGU	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	1.93	-1.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.02	2.73	-1.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.35	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.83	2.60	-1.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.92	11.58	-9.66

GQGU vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GQGU Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GQGU 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

GQGU vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GQGU drawdown since its inception was -8.41%, smaller than the maximum QUS drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQGU and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	GQGU	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.41%	-33.78%	+25.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.41%	-6.85%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.94%	—
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	-4.47%	-0.26%	-4.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-3.66%	+0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.64%	1.53%	+2.11%

Volatility

GQGU vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU) has a higher volatility of 2.85% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 2.37%. This indicates that GQGU'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

	GQGU	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.85%	2.37%	+0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.51%	6.94%	+1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.67%	9.24%	+1.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.58%	14.32%	-3.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.58%	16.39%	-5.81%

GQGU vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

GQGU has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

GQGU vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

GQGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than QUS's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	0.95%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	1.28%	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 GQGU and QUS in my portfolio?

GQGU and QUS have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GQGU or QUS?

GQGU has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to QUS (2.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQGU dropped -8.41% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, GQGU or QUS?

On 1-year performance, QUS leads with 18.81% vs 7.17% for GQGU. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GQGU or QUS?

Over the 1-year period, QUS has performed better with a 18.81% return vs 7.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GQGU or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for GQGU.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.95% for GQGU.

What is the main difference between GQGU and QUS?

They also come from different issuers: GQG Partners and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for GQGU and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 0.66), 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.