ROUS vs. QWLD

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ROUS (Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF) and QWLD (SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ROUS tracks the Hartford Multi-factor Large Cap Index while QWLD tracks the MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROUS returned 12.68%/yr vs 11.64%/yr for QWLD. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ROUS charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for QWLD.

Performance

ROUS vs. QWLD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROUS achieves a 17.13% return, which is significantly higher than QWLD's 10.03% return. Over the past 10 years, ROUS has outperformed QWLD with an annualized return of 12.68%, while QWLD has yielded a comparatively lower 11.64% annualized return.

ROUS

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 0.96%
• 6M: 11.60%
• YTD: 17.13%
• 1Y: 27.87%
• 3Y*: 19.09%
• 5Y*: 12.22%
• 10Y*: 12.68%
• ALL TIME*: 11.05%

QWLD

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 2.22%
• 6M: 5.89%
• YTD: 10.03%
• 1Y: 19.80%
• 3Y*: 16.43%
• 5Y*: 10.04%
• 10Y*: 11.64%
• ALL TIME*: 10.53%

*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)
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	$247.86K	$289.30K	$1.06M
ROUS Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF	$3.40M	$3.69M	$3.28M

ROUS vs. QWLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ROUS Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF	17.13%	15.21%	17.61%	15.05%	-9.65%	27.33%	6.61%	23.94%	-9.59%	22.88%
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	10.03%	17.93%	14.44%	19.59%	-13.30%	21.57%	10.24%	27.59%	-7.02%	22.44%

Correlation

The correlation between ROUS and QWLD is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2015	0.75

The correlation between ROUS and QWLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (all time) to 0.91 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ROUS vs. QWLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROUS	QWLD
Technology	35.2%	24.9%
Healthcare	11.1%	13.2%
Financial Services	11.1%	16.5%
Industrials	10.4%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	6.3%
Communication Services	6.3%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	8.1%
Utilities	3.7%	3.8%
Energy	2.7%	3.4%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.0%
Basic Materials	2.1%	2.5%

Return for Risk

ROUS vs. QWLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ROUS

ROUS Risk / Return Rank: 92
ROUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
ROUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
ROUS Omega Ratio Rank: 90
ROUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
ROUS Martin Ratio Rank: 94

QWLD

QWLD Risk / Return Rank: 81
QWLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QWLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
QWLD Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QWLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
QWLD Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

ROUS vs. QWLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	ROUS	QWLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.06	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	2.91	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.37	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.69	2.60	+2.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.56	11.35	+7.21

ROUS vs. QWLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the QWLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROUS and QWLD, 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

ROUS vs. QWLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROUS drawdown since its inception was -35.51%, which is greater than QWLD's maximum drawdown of -31.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROUS and QWLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROUS	QWLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.51%	-31.89%	-3.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.97%	-7.66%	+1.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.81%	-12.40%	-3.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.91%	-22.84%	+3.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.51%	-31.89%	-3.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	0.00%	-0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.19%	-3.66%	-0.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.51%	1.75%	-0.24%

Volatility

ROUS vs. QWLD - Volatility Comparison

Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF (ROUS) has a higher volatility of 2.46% compared to SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD) at 2.28%. This indicates that ROUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QWLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROUS	QWLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.46%	2.28%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.70%	7.74%	+0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.59%	9.70%	+1.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.43%	13.51%	+0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.92%	15.12%	+1.80%

ROUS vs. QWLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROUS has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than QWLD's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROUS vs. QWLD - Dividend Comparison

ROUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, less than QWLD's 1.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	1.78%	1.85%	1.74%	1.78%	2.02%	1.77%	1.77%	2.13%	2.33%	2.73%	2.22%	3.42%
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 QWLD in my portfolio?

ROUS and QWLD have a correlation of 0.82, 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 QWLD?

ROUS has higher volatility (2.46%) compared to QWLD (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROUS dropped -35.51% vs QWLD's -31.89%.

Which ETF is better, ROUS or QWLD?

On 10-year performance, ROUS leads with 12.68% vs 11.64% for QWLD. On fees, ROUS is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, QWLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROUS or QWLD?

Over the 10-year period, ROUS has performed better with a 12.68% return vs 11.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROUS or QWLD?

ROUS is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for QWLD.

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

QWLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.78%, compared with 1.32% for ROUS.

What is the main difference between ROUS and QWLD?

ROUS tracks Hartford Multi-factor Large Cap Index, while QWLD tracks MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD). They also come from different issuers: Hartford and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for ROUS and 0.30% for QWLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.06), 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.