QUS vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor 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 QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QUS returned 13.72%/yr vs 14.28%/yr for QUAL. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

QUS vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUS achieves a 7.13% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's 8.87% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with QUS having a 13.72% annualized return and QUAL not far ahead at 14.28%.

QUS

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 7.13%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 18.57%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 11.37%
• 10Y*: 13.72%

QUAL

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 4.16%
• YTD: 8.87%
• 6M: 9.31%
• 1Y: 22.53%
• 3Y*: 19.68%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 14.28%

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

QUS vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	7.13%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	12.40%	32.45%	-3.66%	21.67%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	8.87%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	17.04%	33.89%	-5.70%	22.26%

Correlation

The correlation between QUS and QUAL is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 17, 2015	0.88

The correlation between QUS and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

QUS vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QUS	QUAL
Technology	26.3%	36.5%
Financial Services	14.6%	11.5%
Healthcare	13.4%	9.0%
Communication Services	10.2%	11.1%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	4.9%
Industrials	8.6%	8.2%
Consumer Cyclical	5.8%	9.3%
Energy	4.6%	4.0%
Utilities	3.6%	1.9%
Basic Materials	2.3%	1.7%
Real Estate	1.4%	1.8%

Return for Risk

QUS vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 61
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 60
QUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QUS Martin Ratio Rank: 66

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 56
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 54
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

QUS vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.

	QUS	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	1.91	+0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	2.71	+0.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.34	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	2.55	+0.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.37	11.68	+0.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QUS vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUS and QUAL, 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

	QUS	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	1.91	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.71	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.79	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.80	-0.03

Drawdowns

QUS vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUS drawdown since its inception was -33.78%, roughly equal to the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUS and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUS	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.78%	-34.06%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.85%	-9.03%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.94%	-18.00%	+4.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.30%	-28.23%	+5.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.78%	-34.06%	+0.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-0.09%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.70%	-4.11%	+0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	1.98%	-0.45%

Volatility

QUS vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) is 1.80%, while iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) has a volatility of 2.60%. This indicates that QUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUS	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.80%	2.60%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.68%	9.04%	-2.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.08%	11.83%	-2.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.32%	17.33%	-3.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.42%	18.10%	-1.68%

QUS vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QUS and QUAL 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

QUS vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

QUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, more than QUAL's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	0.87%	0.94%	1.02%	1.23%	1.59%	1.20%	1.39%	1.60%	2.00%	1.76%	1.96%	1.63%
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 QUS and QUAL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, QUS and QUAL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QUS or QUAL?

QUAL has higher volatility (2.60%) compared to QUS (1.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUS dropped -33.78% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, QUS or QUAL?

On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.28% vs 13.72% for QUS. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 1.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QUS or QUAL?

Over the 10-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 14.28% return vs 13.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUS or QUAL?

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

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.87% for QUAL.

What is the main difference between QUS and QUAL?

QUS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD), while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.91), 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.