QUSA vs. GSG

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

QUSA (VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - QUSA is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by VistaShares, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. QUSA is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. Over the past year, QUSA returned 5.10% vs 34.57% for GSG. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. QUSA charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.

Performance

QUSA vs. GSG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF (QUSA) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUSA achieves a 9.55% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 32.35% return.

QUSA

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 0.23%
• 6M: 7.12%
• YTD: 9.55%
• 1Y: 5.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GSG

• 1D: 3.60%
• 1M: -0.20%
• 6M: 28.24%
• YTD: 32.35%
• 1Y: 34.57%
• 3Y*: 14.41%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 7.40%

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

QUSA vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QUSA VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF	9.55%	-3.27%
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust	32.35%	10.97%

Correlation

The correlation between QUSA and GSG is -0.16, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 6, 2025	-0.18

Return for Risk

QUSA vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank

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

QUSA

QUSA Risk / Return Rank: 17
QUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
QUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
QUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 17
QUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
QUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 16

GSG

GSG Risk / Return Rank: 51
GSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
GSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
GSG Omega Ratio Rank: 53
GSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
GSG Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

QUSA vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF (QUSA) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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.

	QUSA	GSG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.47	1.48	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.75	2.06	-1.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.27	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	1.85	-1.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.20	6.29	-5.09

QUSA vs. GSG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUSA Sharpe Ratio is 0.47, which is lower than the GSG Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUSA and GSG, 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

QUSA vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUSA drawdown since its inception was -10.64%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUSA and GSG.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUSA	GSG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.64%	-89.62%	+78.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.12%	-18.81%	+8.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.81%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-57.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.87%	-60.04%	+58.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.62%	-63.69%	+60.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.24%	5.51%	-1.27%

Volatility

QUSA vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF (QUSA) is 4.15%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 7.35%. This indicates that QUSA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUSA	GSG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.15%	7.35%	-3.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	21.50%	-12.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.97%	23.48%	-12.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.76%	22.80%	-12.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.76%	22.00%	-11.24%

QUSA vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUSA has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QUSA vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison

QUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.92%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust	0.00%	0.00%
QUSA VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF	13.92%	6.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QUSA and GSG in my portfolio?

QUSA and GSG have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QUSA or GSG?

GSG has higher volatility (7.35%) compared to QUSA (4.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUSA dropped -10.64% vs GSG's -89.62%.

Which ETF is better, QUSA or GSG?

On 1-year performance, GSG leads with 34.57% vs 5.10% for QUSA. On fees, GSG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, QUSA has been the lower-risk option at 4.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QUSA or GSG?

Over the 1-year period, GSG has performed better with a 34.57% return vs 5.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUSA or GSG?

GSG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for QUSA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QUSA or GSG?

QUSA has the higher dividend yield at 13.92%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.

What is the main difference between QUSA and GSG?

QUSA is categorized as Derivative Income, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: VistaShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for QUSA and 0.75% for GSG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 0.47), 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.