QUS vs. XLK

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QUS (State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped Index, while XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QUS returned 13.54%/yr vs 23.73%/yr for XLK. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

QUS vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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 XLK's 23.97% return. Over the past 10 years, QUS has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 13.54%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 23.73% annualized 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%

XLK

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: -1.41%
• 6M: 22.86%
• YTD: 23.97%
• 1Y: 39.24%
• 3Y*: 28.50%
• 5Y*: 19.12%
• 10Y*: 23.73%
• ALL TIME*: 10.26%

*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)
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	$3.01M	$4.81M	$3.43M
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	$1.65B	$1.63B	$2.23B

QUS vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	10.23%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	12.40%	32.45%	-3.66%	21.67%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	23.97%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between QUS and XLK is 0.52, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2015	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between QUS and XLK has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QUS vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QUS	XLK
Technology	28.4%	99.1%
Financial Services	15.7%	-
Healthcare	14.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	8.3%	-
Communication Services	8.2%	0.9%
Industrials	8.1%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	-
Utilities	3.9%	-
Energy	3.3%	0.2%
Basic Materials	2.2%	-
Real Estate	1.6%	-

Return for Risk

QUS vs. XLK — 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

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 62
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 60
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	1.55	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	2.08	+0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.26	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	2.48	+0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.95	6.68	+6.27

QUS vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is higher than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUS and XLK, 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. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUS drawdown since its inception was -33.78%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUS and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUS	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.78%	-82.05%	+48.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.85%	-15.92%	+9.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.94%	-25.66%	+11.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.30%	-33.56%	+11.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.78%	-33.56%	-0.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-10.07%	+10.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.66%	-34.80%	+31.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	5.89%	-4.36%

Volatility

QUS vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) is 2.42%, while State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) has a volatility of 9.37%. This indicates that QUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUS	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.42%	9.37%	-6.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.97%	21.74%	-14.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.22%	25.56%	-16.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.32%	25.77%	-11.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.40%	24.91%	-8.51%

QUS vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QUS vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

QUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, more than XLK's 0.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.45%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QUS and XLK in my portfolio?

QUS and XLK have a correlation of 0.52, 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 XLK?

XLK has higher volatility (9.37%) compared to QUS (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUS dropped -33.78% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, QUS or XLK?

On 10-year performance, XLK leads with 23.73% vs 13.54% for QUS. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% 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 XLK?

Over the 10-year period, XLK has performed better with a 23.73% return vs 13.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUS or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QUS.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.45% for XLK.

What is the main difference between QUS and XLK?

QUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while XLK is Technology Equities. QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUS and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.55), 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.