QUS vs. ESN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QUS (State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped Index while ESN tracks the Essential 40 Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QUS returned 19.80% vs 28.79% for ESN. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ESN.

Performance

QUS vs. ESN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUS achieves a 10.23% return, which is significantly lower than ESN's 17.69% return.

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%

ESN

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 0.63%
• 6M: 12.36%
• YTD: 17.69%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.00%

*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)
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	$2.27M	$1.62M	$1.62M
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	$3.01M	$4.81M	$3.43M

QUS vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	10.23%	14.13%	-2.62%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	17.69%	16.52%	-3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between QUS and ESN is 0.85, 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.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2024	0.89

The correlation between QUS and ESN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QUS vs. ESN — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 94
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 93
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

QUS vs. ESN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). 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.

	QUS	ESN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.91	-0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	4.00	-0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.51	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	4.50	-1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.95	18.06	-5.11

QUS vs. ESN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the ESN Sharpe Ratio of 2.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUS and ESN, 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

QUS vs. ESN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUS drawdown since its inception was -33.78%, which is greater than ESN's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUS and ESN.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUS	ESN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.78%	-13.60%	-20.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.85%	-6.42%	-0.43%
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	-3.66%	-1.80%	-1.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	1.60%	-0.07%

Volatility

QUS vs. ESN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) is 2.42%, while Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) has a volatility of 2.69%. This indicates that QUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUS	ESN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.42%	2.69%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.97%	7.51%	-0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.22%	9.97%	-0.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.32%	13.04%	+1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.40%	13.04%	+3.36%

QUS vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than ESN's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

QUS vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison

QUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, more than ESN's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.77%	0.91%	0.76%	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 QUS and ESN in my portfolio?

QUS and ESN have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QUS or ESN?

ESN has higher volatility (2.69%) compared to QUS (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUS dropped -33.78% vs ESN's -13.60%.

Which ETF is better, QUS or ESN?

On 1-year performance, ESN leads with 28.79% vs 19.80% for QUS. 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, QUS or ESN?

Over the 1-year period, ESN has performed better with a 28.79% return vs 19.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUS or ESN?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.77% for ESN.

What is the main difference between QUS and ESN?

QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped Index, while ESN tracks Essential 40 Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and KKM. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUS and 0.70% for ESN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 vs 2.16), 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.