OUSM vs. VFQY

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

OUSM (OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF) and VFQY (Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. OUSM is passively managed, while VFQY is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, OUSM returned 8.65%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for VFQY. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. OUSM charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VFQY.

Performance

OUSM vs. VFQY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF (OUSM) and Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with OUSM having a 13.55% return and VFQY slightly higher at 14.20%.

OUSM

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 3.02%
• 6M: 8.44%
• YTD: 13.55%
• 1Y: 17.33%
• 3Y*: 12.20%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.48%

VFQY

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 2.21%
• 6M: 10.27%
• YTD: 14.20%
• 1Y: 23.29%
• 3Y*: 15.72%
• 5Y*: 9.15%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.62%

*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)
OUSM OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF	$4.86M	$3.68M	$3.03M
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	$948.51K	$988.82K	$1.06M

OUSM vs. VFQY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
OUSM OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF	13.55%	2.17%	13.45%	18.82%	-7.89%	21.45%	7.64%	28.04%	-7.37%
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	14.20%	10.24%	12.93%	22.48%	-15.74%	27.96%	16.97%	25.75%	-8.19%

Correlation

The correlation between OUSM and VFQY is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2018	0.91

The correlation between OUSM and VFQY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

OUSM vs. VFQY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OUSM	VFQY
Industrials	24.2%	16.8%
Financial Services	21.7%	18.9%
Consumer Cyclical	21.0%	13.3%
Technology	11.4%	25.8%
Healthcare	8.0%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	9.2%
Utilities	4.1%	-
Communication Services	3.5%	2.8%
Basic Materials	1.5%	2.2%
Energy	0.3%	2.2%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

OUSM vs. VFQY — Risk / Return Rank

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

OUSM

OUSM Risk / Return Rank: 52
OUSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
OUSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
OUSM Omega Ratio Rank: 50
OUSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
OUSM Martin Ratio Rank: 47

VFQY

VFQY Risk / Return Rank: 74
VFQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
VFQY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VFQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VFQY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

OUSM vs. VFQY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF (OUSM) and Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY). 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.

	OUSM	VFQY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	1.75	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.53	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.30	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	2.57	-0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.58	9.69	-4.11

OUSM vs. VFQY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OUSM Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is comparable to the VFQY Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OUSM and VFQY, 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

OUSM vs. VFQY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OUSM drawdown since its inception was -39.84%, which is greater than VFQY's maximum drawdown of -37.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OUSM and VFQY.

Drawdown Indicators

	OUSM	VFQY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.84%	-37.41%	-2.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.21%	-9.12%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-20.67%	+1.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.44%	-25.93%	+6.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	0.00%	-0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-6.57%	+1.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	2.41%	+0.70%

Volatility

OUSM vs. VFQY - Volatility Comparison

OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF (OUSM) has a higher volatility of 4.17% compared to Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) at 3.12%. This indicates that OUSM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFQY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OUSM	VFQY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.17%	3.12%	+1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.36%	9.58%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.13%	13.37%	-0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.27%	18.29%	-2.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.85%	20.73%	-1.88%

OUSM vs. VFQY - Expense Ratio Comparison

OUSM has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than VFQY's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

OUSM vs. VFQY - Dividend Comparison

OUSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.91%, more than VFQY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OUSM OShares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF	1.91%	2.09%	1.62%	1.64%	1.98%	1.55%	2.02%	1.99%	2.63%	2.17%
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	1.03%	1.17%	1.34%	1.38%	1.43%	0.98%	1.22%	1.34%	1.31%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OUSM and VFQY in my portfolio?

OUSM and VFQY have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OUSM or VFQY?

OUSM has higher volatility (4.17%) compared to VFQY (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OUSM dropped -39.84% vs VFQY's -37.41%.

Which ETF is better, OUSM or VFQY?

On 5-year performance, VFQY leads with 9.15% vs 8.65% for OUSM. On fees, VFQY is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, VFQY has been the lower-risk option at 3.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OUSM or VFQY?

Over the 5-year period, VFQY has performed better with a 9.15% return vs 8.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OUSM or VFQY?

VFQY is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for OUSM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OUSM or VFQY?

OUSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.91%, compared with 1.03% for VFQY.

What is the main difference between OUSM and VFQY?

They also come from different issuers: O'Shares Investments and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for OUSM and 0.13% for VFQY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFQY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.33), 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.