QUS vs. FAAR
QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) and FAAR (First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QUS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD), while FAAR is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. QUS is passively managed, while FAAR is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, QUS returned 13.70%/yr vs 4.69%/yr for FAAR. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FAAR.
Performance
QUS vs. FAAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QUS achieves a 5.81% return, which is significantly lower than FAAR's 19.14% return. Over the past 10 years, QUS has outperformed FAAR with an annualized return of 13.70%, while FAAR has yielded a comparatively lower 4.69% annualized return.
QUS
- 1D
- -0.23%
- 1M
- -1.12%
- YTD
- 5.81%
- 6M
- 5.18%
- 1Y
- 16.61%
- 3Y*
- 16.79%
- 5Y*
- 10.77%
- 10Y*
- 13.70%
FAAR
- 1D
- -0.91%
- 1M
- -5.21%
- YTD
- 19.14%
- 6M
- 18.06%
- 1Y
- 28.33%
- 3Y*
- 10.57%
- 5Y*
- 7.72%
- 10Y*
- 4.69%
QUS vs. FAAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF | 5.81% | 14.13% | 18.99% | 21.78% | -14.15% | 26.72% | 12.40% | 32.45% | -3.66% | 21.67% |
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 19.14% | 8.07% | 5.97% | -5.63% | 10.15% | 12.34% | 8.60% | -1.28% | -9.17% | 5.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between QUS and FAAR is -0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.07 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.02 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2016 | 0.06 |
The correlation between QUS and FAAR shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QUS vs. FAAR — Risk / Return Rank
QUS
FAAR
QUS vs. FAAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) and First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR). 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 | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.51 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.37 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.43 | 4.52 | -2.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.76 | 15.18 | -4.42 |
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Drawdowns
QUS vs. FAAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QUS drawdown since its inception was -33.78%, which is greater than FAAR's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUS and FAAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QUS | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.78% | -18.03% | -15.75% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.85% | -6.29% | -0.56% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.94% | -11.54% | -2.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.30% | -18.03% | -4.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.78% | -18.03% | -15.75% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.84% | -6.29% | +4.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.69% | -7.82% | +4.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.55% | 1.87% | -0.32% |
Volatility
QUS vs. FAAR - Volatility Comparison
SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) has a higher volatility of 2.84% compared to First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF (FAAR) at 2.55%. This indicates that QUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QUS | FAAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.84% | 2.55% | +0.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.98% | 9.68% | -2.70% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.24% | 13.38% | -4.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.34% | 12.96% | +1.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.43% | 11.54% | +4.89% |
QUS vs. FAAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
QUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than FAAR's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
QUS vs. FAAR - Dividend Comparison
QUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, less than FAAR's 9.66% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAAR First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF | 9.66% | 11.63% | 3.45% | 3.20% | 5.82% | 6.49% | 3.05% | 1.02% | 0.58% | 2.83% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF | 1.32% | 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
QUS and FAAR have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QUS has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to FAAR (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUS dropped -33.78% vs FAAR's -18.03%.
On 10-year performance, QUS leads with 13.70% vs 4.69% for FAAR. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, FAAR has been the lower-risk option at 2.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, QUS has performed better with a 13.70% return vs 4.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR has the higher dividend yield at 9.66%, compared with 1.32% for QUS.
QUS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while FAAR is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUS and 0.95% for FAAR.
FAAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.81), 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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