PRCS vs. QUS

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PRCS (Parnassus Core Select ETF) and QUS (State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. PRCS is actively managed, while QUS is passively managed. Over the past year, PRCS returned 15.16% vs 19.80% for QUS. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PRCS charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

PRCS vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Parnassus Core Select ETF (PRCS) and State Street 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, PRCS achieves a 9.31% return, which is significantly lower than QUS's 10.23% return.

PRCS

• 1D: 2.16%
• 1M: 2.63%
• 6M: 7.12%
• YTD: 9.31%
• 1Y: 15.16%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.99%

QUS

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 1.29%
• 6M: 7.60%
• YTD: 10.23%
• 1Y: 19.80%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 10.91%
• 10Y*: 13.54%
• ALL TIME*: 12.75%

*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)
PRCS Parnassus Core Select ETF	$758.77K	$1.62M	$910.11K
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	$3.01M	$4.81M	$3.43M

PRCS vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PRCS Parnassus Core Select ETF	9.31%	11.69%	-4.25%
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	10.23%	14.13%	-3.63%

Correlation

The correlation between PRCS and QUS is 0.82, 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.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	0.83

The correlation between PRCS and QUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRCS vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRCS

PRCS Risk / Return Rank: 38
PRCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
PRCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
PRCS Omega Ratio Rank: 38
PRCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PRCS Martin Ratio Rank: 40

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 85
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 86
QUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
QUS Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

PRCS vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Parnassus Core Select ETF (PRCS) and State Street 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.

	PRCS	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	2.16	-1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	3.05	-1.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.39	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.19	2.90	-1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.64	12.95	-8.31

PRCS vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRCS Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is lower than the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRCS 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

PRCS vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRCS drawdown since its inception was -18.20%, smaller than the maximum QUS drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRCS and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRCS	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.20%	-33.78%	+15.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.77%	-6.85%	-5.92%
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.86%	-3.66%	+0.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	1.53%	+1.74%

Volatility

PRCS vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

Parnassus Core Select ETF (PRCS) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 2.42%. This indicates that PRCS'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

	PRCS	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	2.42%	+2.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.00%	6.97%	+4.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.69%	9.22%	+4.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.83%	14.32%	+2.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.83%	16.40%	+0.43%

PRCS vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRCS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRCS vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

PRCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, less than QUS's 1.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRCS Parnassus Core Select ETF	0.12%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	1.27%	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 PRCS and QUS in my portfolio?

PRCS and QUS have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRCS or QUS?

PRCS has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to QUS (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRCS dropped -18.20% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, PRCS or QUS?

On 1-year performance, QUS leads with 19.80% vs 15.16% for PRCS. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PRCS or QUS?

Over the 1-year period, QUS has performed better with a 19.80% return vs 15.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PRCS or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for PRCS.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.12% for PRCS.

What is the main difference between PRCS and QUS?

They also come from different issuers: Parnassus and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for PRCS and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.11), 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.