QGRO vs. SAMT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QGRO (American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF) and SAMT (Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Growth (USD)(GR), while SAMT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Strategas. QGRO is passively managed, while SAMT is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, QGRO returned 21.29%/yr vs 28.84%/yr for SAMT. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QGRO charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.66%/yr for SAMT.

Performance

QGRO vs. SAMT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) and Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QGRO achieves a 2.19% return, which is significantly lower than SAMT's 20.25% return.

QGRO

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 4.28%
• YTD: 2.19%
• 6M: 2.57%
• 1Y: 10.81%
• 3Y*: 21.29%
• 5Y*: 12.22%
• 10Y*: —

SAMT

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 6.66%
• YTD: 20.25%
• 6M: 23.92%
• 1Y: 42.07%
• 3Y*: 28.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QGRO vs. SAMT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
QGRO American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF	2.19%	15.18%	31.42%	32.42%	-11.50%
SAMT Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF	20.25%	33.10%	28.15%	1.27%	-6.59%

Correlation

The correlation between QGRO and SAMT is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2022	0.77

The correlation between QGRO and SAMT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

QGRO vs. SAMT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QGRO	SAMT
Technology	37.1%	27.8%
Industrials	13.6%	22.0%
Healthcare	12.7%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	5.6%
Communication Services	11.0%	7.8%
Financial Services	5.9%	5.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	12.0%
Energy	1.8%	2.9%
Utilities	0.9%	6.6%
Real Estate	0.9%	2.9%
Basic Materials	0.3%	2.7%

Return for Risk

QGRO vs. SAMT — Risk / Return Rank

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

QGRO

QGRO Risk / Return Rank: 20
QGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
QGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
QGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 19
QGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
QGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 22

SAMT

SAMT Risk / Return Rank: 77
SAMT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SAMT Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
SAMT Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SAMT Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SAMT Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

QGRO vs. SAMT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) and Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT). 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.

	QGRO	SAMT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	2.53	-1.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.08	3.35	-2.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.42	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.80	5.19	-4.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.69	14.30	-11.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QGRO vs. SAMT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QGRO Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the SAMT Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QGRO and SAMT, 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

	QGRO	SAMT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71	2.53	-1.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.98	-0.31

Drawdowns

QGRO vs. SAMT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QGRO drawdown since its inception was -32.56%, which is greater than SAMT's maximum drawdown of -20.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QGRO and SAMT.

Drawdown Indicators

	QGRO	SAMT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.56%	-20.57%	-11.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.54%	-8.15%	-5.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.82%	-18.27%	-5.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-0.66%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.68%	-7.72%	+0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.03%	2.95%	+1.08%

Volatility

QGRO vs. SAMT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) is 3.38%, while Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT) has a volatility of 6.82%. This indicates that QGRO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SAMT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QGRO	SAMT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.38%	6.82%	-3.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	12.56%	-0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.33%	16.68%	-1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.06%	16.94%	+4.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.93%	16.94%	+5.99%

QGRO vs. SAMT - Expense Ratio Comparison

QGRO has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than SAMT's 0.66% expense ratio.

Dividends

QGRO vs. SAMT - Dividend Comparison

QGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.19%, less than SAMT's 0.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QGRO American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF	0.19%	0.25%	0.25%	0.41%	0.46%	0.31%	0.22%	0.38%	0.13%
SAMT Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF	0.58%	0.70%	1.40%	1.49%	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QGRO and SAMT in my portfolio?

QGRO and SAMT have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QGRO or SAMT?

SAMT has higher volatility (6.82%) compared to QGRO (3.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QGRO dropped -32.56% vs SAMT's -20.57%.

Which ETF is better, QGRO or SAMT?

On 3-year performance, SAMT leads with 28.84% vs 21.29% for QGRO. On fees, QGRO is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, QGRO has been the lower-risk option at 3.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QGRO or SAMT?

Over the 3-year period, SAMT has performed better with a 28.84% return vs 21.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QGRO or SAMT?

QGRO is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for SAMT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QGRO or SAMT?

SAMT has the higher dividend yield at 0.58%, compared with 0.19% for QGRO.

What is the main difference between QGRO and SAMT?

QGRO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SAMT is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: American Century and Strategas. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for QGRO and 0.66% for SAMT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAMT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 0.71), 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.