PSET vs. QUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSET (Principal Quality ETF) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - PSET tracks the NASDAQ US Price Setters while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PSET returned 12.73%/yr vs 13.67%/yr for QUS. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

PSET vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Quality ETF (PSET) 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, PSET achieves a -0.49% return, which is significantly lower than QUS's 6.67% return. Over the past 10 years, PSET has underperformed QUS with an annualized return of 12.73%, while QUS has yielded a comparatively higher 13.67% annualized return.

PSET

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: -0.49%
• 6M: -0.66%
• 1Y: 7.57%
• 3Y*: 12.93%
• 5Y*: 8.86%
• 10Y*: 12.73%

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)

PSET vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSET Principal Quality ETF	-0.49%	7.27%	17.65%	24.07%	-16.52%	29.59%	16.20%	34.85%	-2.29%	24.63%
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 PSET and QUS is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2016	0.71

The correlation between PSET and QUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (all time) to 0.90 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PSET vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSET	QUS
Technology	37.9%	26.3%
Industrials	19.1%	8.6%
Financial Services	14.3%	14.6%
Healthcare	10.8%	13.4%
Communication Services	6.7%	10.2%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	5.8%
Basic Materials	3.3%	2.3%
Energy	1.4%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	9.2%
Real Estate	-	1.4%
Utilities	-	3.6%

Return for Risk

PSET vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSET

PSET Risk / Return Rank: 18
PSET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
PSET Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
PSET Omega Ratio Rank: 18
PSET Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
PSET Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

PSET vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Quality ETF (PSET) 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.

	PSET	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	1.95	-1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	2.81	-1.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.35	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.59	2.59	-2.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.98	11.54	-9.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSET vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSET Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSET 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

	PSET	QUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60	1.95	-1.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.78	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.83	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.77	-0.06

Drawdowns

PSET vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSET drawdown since its inception was -34.74%, roughly equal to the maximum QUS drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSET and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSET	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.74%	-33.78%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.94%	-6.85%	-6.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.96%	-13.94%	-8.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.61%	-22.30%	-3.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.74%	-33.78%	-0.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.59%	-0.50%	-2.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.59%	-3.70%	-0.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	1.53%	+2.29%

Volatility

PSET vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

Principal Quality ETF (PSET) has a higher volatility of 3.01% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 1.78%. This indicates that PSET'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

	PSET	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.01%	1.78%	+1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.67%	6.66%	+3.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.67%	9.09%	+3.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	14.33%	+3.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.06%	16.42%	+1.64%

PSET vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PSET and QUS have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PSET vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

PSET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, less than QUS's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSET Principal Quality ETF	0.63%	0.59%	0.69%	0.85%	1.47%	0.89%	1.09%	1.52%	1.33%	1.02%	1.26%	0.00%
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 PSET and QUS in my portfolio?

PSET and QUS have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSET or QUS?

PSET has higher volatility (3.01%) compared to QUS (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSET dropped -34.74% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, PSET or QUS?

On 10-year performance, QUS leads with 13.67% vs 12.73% for PSET. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. 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, PSET or QUS?

Over the 10-year period, QUS has performed better with a 13.67% return vs 12.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSET or QUS?

PSET and QUS have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.63% for PSET.

What is the main difference between PSET and QUS?

PSET tracks NASDAQ US Price Setters, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). They also come from different issuers: Principal and State Street.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.60), 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.