IUS vs. SPXM

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

IUS (Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF) and SPXM (Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. IUS is passively managed, while SPXM is actively managed. Over the past year, IUS returned 29.97% vs 8.61% for SPXM. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IUS charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for SPXM.

Performance

IUS vs. SPXM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) and Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IUS

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 1.93%
• 6M: 14.07%
• YTD: 17.63%
• 1Y: 29.97%
• 3Y*: 19.63%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: —

SPXM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 1Y: 8.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IUS vs. SPXM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	17.63%	11.12%
SPXM Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF	0.00%	9.27%

Correlation

The correlation between IUS and SPXM is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2025	0.48

Return for Risk

IUS vs. SPXM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IUS

IUS Risk / Return Rank: 94
IUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
IUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
IUS Omega Ratio Rank: 93
IUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
IUS Martin Ratio Rank: 94

SPXM

SPXM Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPXM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
SPXM Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SPXM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SPXM Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SPXM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

IUS vs. SPXM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) and Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM). 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.

	IUS	SPXM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.84	1.38	+1.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.89	1.95	+1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.38	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.90	2.09	+2.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.38	9.77	+10.61

IUS vs. SPXM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.84, which is higher than the SPXM Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IUS and SPXM, 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

IUS vs. SPXM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IUS drawdown since its inception was -34.67%, which is greater than SPXM's maximum drawdown of -5.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUS and SPXM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IUS	SPXM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.67%	-5.08%	-29.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.15%	-5.08%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.72%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	-0.75%	+0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-0.78%	-3.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.48%	—	—

Volatility

IUS vs. SPXM - Volatility Comparison

Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) has a higher volatility of 2.64% compared to Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM) at 0.00%. This indicates that IUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPXM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IUS	SPXM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.64%	0.00%	+2.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.93%	3.96%	+3.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.60%	7.66%	+2.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.02%	7.63%	+7.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.97%	7.63%	+10.34%

IUS vs. SPXM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IUS has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXM's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

IUS vs. SPXM - Dividend Comparison

IUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.26%, more than SPXM's 0.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	1.26%	1.48%	1.52%	1.72%	1.78%	1.46%	1.74%	1.77%	0.73%
SPXM Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF	0.24%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IUS and SPXM in my portfolio?

IUS and SPXM have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IUS or SPXM?

IUS has higher volatility (2.64%) compared to SPXM (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUS dropped -34.67% vs SPXM's -5.08%.

Which ETF is better, IUS or SPXM?

On 1-year performance, IUS leads with 29.97% vs 8.61% for SPXM. On fees, IUS is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, SPXM has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IUS or SPXM?

Over the 1-year period, IUS has performed better with a 29.97% return vs 8.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IUS or SPXM?

IUS is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for SPXM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IUS or SPXM?

IUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.26%, compared with 0.24% for SPXM.

What is the main difference between IUS and SPXM?

They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Azoria. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for IUS and 0.47% for SPXM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 1.38), 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.