ROUS vs. QUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ROUS (Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ROUS tracks the Hartford Multi-factor Large Cap Index while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROUS returned 13.01%/yr vs 13.67%/yr for QUS. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ROUS charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

ROUS vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF (ROUS) and SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROUS achieves a 16.55% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 6.67% return. Over the past 10 years, ROUS has underperformed QUS with an annualized return of 13.01%, while QUS has yielded a comparatively higher 13.67% annualized return.

ROUS

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 6.18%
• YTD: 16.55%
• 6M: 16.75%
• 1Y: 29.42%
• 3Y*: 20.87%
• 5Y*: 12.84%
• 10Y*: 13.01%

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%

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

ROUS vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ROUS Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF	16.55%	15.21%	17.61%	15.05%	-9.65%	27.33%	6.61%	23.94%	-9.59%	22.88%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between ROUS and QUS is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 17, 2015	0.84

The correlation between ROUS and QUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.84 (all time) to 0.95 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ROUS vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROUS	QUS
Technology	33.2%	26.3%
Healthcare	10.7%	13.4%
Financial Services	10.6%	14.6%
Industrials	10.4%	8.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	5.8%
Communication Services	8.6%	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.8%	9.2%
Utilities	3.8%	3.6%
Energy	3.0%	4.6%
Basic Materials	2.2%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.1%	1.4%

Return for Risk

ROUS vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROUS

ROUS Risk / Return Rank: 83
ROUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
ROUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
ROUS Omega Ratio Rank: 76
ROUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
ROUS Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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

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.

ROUS vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF (ROUS) and SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS). 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.

	ROUS	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.60	1.95	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	2.81	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.35	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.95	2.59	+2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.38	11.54	+8.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ROUS vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.60, which is higher than the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROUS and QUS, 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

	ROUS	QUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60	1.95	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	0.78	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.83	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.77	-0.10

Drawdowns

ROUS vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROUS drawdown since its inception was -35.51%, which is greater than QUS's maximum drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROUS and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROUS	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.51%	-33.78%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.97%	-6.85%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.81%	-13.94%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.91%	-22.30%	+3.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.51%	-33.78%	-1.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.50%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.24%	-3.70%	-0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.45%	1.53%	-0.08%

Volatility

ROUS vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF (ROUS) has a higher volatility of 2.54% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 1.78%. This indicates that ROUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROUS	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	1.78%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.50%	6.66%	+1.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.37%	9.09%	+2.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.38%	14.33%	+0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.96%	16.42%	+0.54%

ROUS vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROUS has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% 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

ROUS vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

ROUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, which matches QUS's 1.31% 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%
ROUS Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF	1.32%	1.52%	1.62%	1.91%	1.88%	1.38%	2.01%	2.12%	1.89%	1.54%	1.97%	1.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROUS and QUS in my portfolio?

ROUS and QUS have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROUS or QUS?

ROUS has higher volatility (2.54%) compared to QUS (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROUS dropped -35.51% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, ROUS or QUS?

On 10-year performance, QUS leads with 13.67% vs 13.01% for ROUS. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% 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, ROUS or QUS?

Over the 10-year period, QUS has performed better with a 13.67% return vs 13.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROUS or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for ROUS.

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

ROUS and QUS have nearly identical dividend yields, around 1.32%.

What is the main difference between ROUS and QUS?

ROUS tracks Hartford Multi-factor Large Cap Index, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). They also come from different issuers: Hartford and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for ROUS and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.95), 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.