QUS vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR 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 XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QUS returned 13.67%/yr vs 9.15%/yr for XLU. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

QUS vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUS achieves a 6.67% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, QUS has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 13.67%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.15% annualized return.

QUS

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 6.67%
• 6M: 6.93%
• 1Y: 17.65%
• 3Y*: 17.53%
• 5Y*: 11.08%
• 10Y*: 13.67%

XLU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.74%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 9.11%
• 3Y*: 13.74%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

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

QUS vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	6.67%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	12.40%	32.45%	-3.66%	21.67%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	3.11%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between QUS and XLU is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 17, 2015	0.40

The correlation between QUS and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (1 year) to 0.47 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QUS vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QUS	XLU
Technology	26.3%	-
Financial Services	14.6%	-
Healthcare	13.4%	-
Communication Services	10.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	-
Industrials	8.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.8%	-
Energy	4.6%	-
Utilities	3.6%	100.0%
Basic Materials	2.3%	-
Real Estate	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

QUS vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 57
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 55
QUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
QUS Martin Ratio Rank: 63

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 19
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 18
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	0.63	+1.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	0.94	+1.86
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.12	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.59	1.00	+1.59
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.54	2.24	+9.30
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. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUS and XLU, 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	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	0.63	+1.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.54	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.48	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.40	+0.37

Drawdowns

QUS vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUS drawdown since its inception was -33.78%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUS and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUS	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.78%	-51.98%	+18.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.85%	-9.18%	+2.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.94%	-17.26%	+3.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.30%	-25.26%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.78%	-36.07%	+2.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	-7.78%	+7.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.70%	-10.22%	+6.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	4.09%	-2.56%

Volatility

QUS vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) is 1.78%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that QUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUS	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.78%	5.41%	-3.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.66%	11.53%	-4.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.09%	14.57%	-5.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.33%	17.32%	-2.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.42%	19.26%	-2.84%

QUS vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU'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. XLU - Dividend Comparison

QUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, less than XLU's 2.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.72%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QUS and XLU in my portfolio?

QUS and XLU have a correlation of 0.33, 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 XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to QUS (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUS dropped -33.78% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, QUS or XLU?

On 10-year performance, QUS leads with 13.67% vs 9.15% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 1.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QUS or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, QUS has performed better with a 13.67% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUS or XLU?

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

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.72%, compared with 1.31% for QUS.

What is the main difference between QUS and XLU?

QUS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD), while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUS and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.63), 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.