ILCB vs. QUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILCB (iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ILCB tracks the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Index while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ILCB returned 15.00%/yr vs 13.67%/yr for QUS. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ILCB charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

ILCB vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) 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, ILCB achieves a 11.12% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 6.67% return. Over the past 10 years, ILCB has outperformed QUS with an annualized return of 15.00%, while QUS has yielded a comparatively lower 13.67% annualized return.

ILCB

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 5.29%
• YTD: 11.12%
• 6M: 11.10%
• 1Y: 28.03%
• 3Y*: 22.69%
• 5Y*: 13.45%
• 10Y*: 15.00%

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)

ILCB vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	11.12%	17.70%	24.96%	26.91%	-19.48%	24.07%	19.40%	32.68%	-8.51%	22.09%
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 ILCB 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	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 17, 2015	0.86

The correlation between ILCB and QUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILCB vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILCB	QUS
Technology	35.5%	26.3%
Financial Services	11.7%	14.6%
Communication Services	11.4%	10.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	5.8%
Industrials	8.6%	8.6%
Healthcare	8.6%	13.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	9.2%
Energy	3.5%	4.6%
Utilities	2.3%	3.6%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.8%	2.3%

Return for Risk

ILCB vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILCB

ILCB Risk / Return Rank: 69
ILCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ILCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
ILCB Omega Ratio Rank: 70
ILCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ILCB Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

ILCB vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) 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.

	ILCB	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	1.95	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	2.81	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.35	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	2.59	+0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.24	11.54	+2.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILCB vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILCB Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILCB 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

	ILCB	QUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	1.95	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.78	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.83	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.77	-0.14

Drawdowns

ILCB vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILCB drawdown since its inception was -51.53%, which is greater than QUS's maximum drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILCB and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILCB	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.53%	-33.78%	-17.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.09%	-6.85%	-2.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.05%	-13.94%	-5.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.47%	-22.30%	-3.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.30%	-33.78%	-1.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-0.50%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.24%	-3.70%	-2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.53%	+0.44%

Volatility

ILCB vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) has a higher volatility of 2.88% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 1.78%. This indicates that ILCB'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

	ILCB	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	1.78%	+1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.10%	6.66%	+2.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.02%	9.09%	+2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	14.33%	+2.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.16%	16.42%	+1.74%

ILCB vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILCB has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ILCB vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

ILCB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, less than QUS's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	0.97%	1.11%	1.19%	1.43%	1.65%	1.16%	1.26%	2.25%	2.17%	1.81%	1.97%	2.44%
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 ILCB and QUS in my portfolio?

ILCB 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, ILCB or QUS?

ILCB has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to QUS (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILCB dropped -51.53% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, ILCB or QUS?

On 10-year performance, ILCB leads with 15.00% vs 13.67% for QUS. On fees, ILCB is cheaper at 0.03% 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, ILCB or QUS?

Over the 10-year period, ILCB has performed better with a 15.00% return vs 13.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILCB or QUS?

ILCB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QUS.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.97% for ILCB.

What is the main difference between ILCB and QUS?

ILCB tracks Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Index, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for ILCB and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 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.