QEFA vs. GXUS
QEFA (SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF) and GXUS (Goldman Sachs MarketBeta(R) Total International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - QEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE Factor Mix A-Series (USD) while GXUS tracks the Solactive GBS Global Markets ex United States Large & Mid Cap Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QEFA returned 17.29% vs 31.75% for GXUS. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QEFA charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for GXUS.
Performance
QEFA vs. GXUS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QEFA achieves a 6.80% return, which is significantly lower than GXUS's 14.90% return.
QEFA
- 1D
- -0.49%
- 1M
- 1.69%
- YTD
- 6.80%
- 6M
- 8.78%
- 1Y
- 17.29%
- 3Y*
- 14.76%
- 5Y*
- 7.62%
- 10Y*
- 8.67%
GXUS
- 1D
- -0.98%
- 1M
- 5.14%
- YTD
- 14.90%
- 6M
- 17.66%
- 1Y
- 31.75%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QEFA vs. GXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
QEFA SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF | 6.80% | 29.25% | 2.27% | 7.75% |
GXUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta(R) Total International Equity ETF | 14.90% | 31.47% | 4.61% | 6.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between QEFA and GXUS is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2023 | 0.87 |
The correlation between QEFA and GXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
QEFA vs. GXUS — Risk / Return Rank
QEFA
GXUS
QEFA vs. GXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF (QEFA) and Goldman Sachs MarketBeta(R) Total International Equity ETF (GXUS). 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.
| QEFA | GXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.59 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.73 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.35 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.81 | 2.78 | -0.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.52 | 10.51 | -3.99 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QEFA | GXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.37 | 1.95 | -0.59 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.43 | 1.25 | -0.82 |
Drawdowns
QEFA vs. GXUS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QEFA drawdown since its inception was -31.71%, which is greater than GXUS's maximum drawdown of -13.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QEFA and GXUS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QEFA | GXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -31.71% | -13.90% | -17.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.58% | -11.46% | +1.88% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.23% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.09% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.71% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.93% | -0.98% | -1.95% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.08% | -2.80% | -3.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.66% | 3.03% | -0.37% |
Volatility
QEFA vs. GXUS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF (QEFA) is 3.94%, while Goldman Sachs MarketBeta(R) Total International Equity ETF (GXUS) has a volatility of 5.42%. This indicates that QEFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QEFA | GXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.94% | 5.42% | -1.48% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.25% | 13.11% | -2.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.76% | 16.33% | -3.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.77% | 15.22% | -0.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.03% | 15.22% | +0.81% |
QEFA vs. GXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison
QEFA has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than GXUS's 0.18% expense ratio.
Dividends
QEFA vs. GXUS - Dividend Comparison
QEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.87%, more than GXUS's 2.19% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GXUS Goldman Sachs MarketBeta(R) Total International Equity ETF | 2.19% | 2.66% | 2.87% | 1.28% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QEFA SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF | 2.87% | 3.13% | 3.17% | 2.79% | 3.02% | 2.37% | 1.82% | 2.95% | 3.22% | 2.33% | 2.01% | 2.94% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QEFA and GXUS have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GXUS has higher volatility (5.42%) compared to QEFA (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QEFA dropped -31.71% vs GXUS's -13.90%.
On 1-year performance, GXUS leads with 31.75% vs 17.29% for QEFA. On fees, GXUS is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QEFA has been the lower-risk option at 3.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, GXUS has performed better with a 31.75% return vs 17.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GXUS is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for QEFA.
QEFA has the higher dividend yield at 2.87%, compared with 2.19% for GXUS.
QEFA tracks MSCI EAFE Factor Mix A-Series (USD), while GXUS tracks Solactive GBS Global Markets ex United States Large & Mid Cap Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Goldman Sachs. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for QEFA and 0.18% for GXUS.
GXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.37), 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.
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