ROUS vs. SPHQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ROUS (Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF) and SPHQ (Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ROUS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Hartford Multi-factor Large Cap Index, while SPHQ is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROUS returned 12.99%/yr vs 15.46%/yr for SPHQ. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ROUS charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for SPHQ.

Performance

ROUS vs. SPHQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF (ROUS) and Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROUS achieves a 15.33% return, which is significantly lower than SPHQ's 16.54% return. Over the past 10 years, ROUS has underperformed SPHQ with an annualized return of 12.99%, while SPHQ has yielded a comparatively higher 15.46% annualized return.

ROUS

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 15.33%
• 6M: 13.97%
• 1Y: 27.51%
• 3Y*: 19.87%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: 12.99%

SPHQ

• 1D: -2.93%
• 1M: 2.94%
• YTD: 16.54%
• 6M: 15.11%
• 1Y: 25.84%
• 3Y*: 22.34%
• 5Y*: 14.14%
• 10Y*: 15.46%

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

ROUS vs. SPHQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ROUS Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF	15.33%	15.21%	17.61%	15.05%	-9.65%	27.33%	6.61%	23.94%	-9.59%	22.88%
SPHQ Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF	16.54%	13.25%	25.44%	24.83%	-15.76%	28.03%	17.36%	33.64%	-7.10%	19.10%

Correlation

The correlation between ROUS and SPHQ is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2015	0.81

The correlation between ROUS and SPHQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

ROUS vs. SPHQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROUS	SPHQ
Technology	37.3%	32.0%
Healthcare	10.3%	8.0%
Financial Services	9.9%	12.4%
Industrials	9.8%	22.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	4.4%
Communication Services	8.1%	2.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	14.4%
Utilities	3.5%	0.9%
Energy	2.6%	0.6%
Basic Materials	2.1%	2.1%
Real Estate	2.0%	-

Return for Risk

ROUS vs. SPHQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROUS

ROUS Risk / Return Rank: 82
ROUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
ROUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
ROUS Omega Ratio Rank: 75
ROUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
ROUS Martin Ratio Rank: 89

SPHQ

SPHQ Risk / Return Rank: 61
SPHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SPHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SPHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SPHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. SPHQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF (ROUS) and Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ). 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	SPHQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.94	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	2.74	+0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.34	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.63	2.92	+1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.66	12.48	+6.18

ROUS vs. SPHQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the SPHQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROUS and SPHQ, 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. SPHQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROUS drawdown since its inception was -35.51%, smaller than the maximum SPHQ drawdown of -57.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROUS and SPHQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROUS	SPHQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.51%	-57.83%	+22.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.97%	-8.90%	+2.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.81%	-16.57%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.91%	-25.04%	+6.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.51%	-31.60%	-3.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.91%	-2.93%	+1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.22%	-10.68%	+6.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.48%	2.07%	-0.59%

Volatility

ROUS vs. SPHQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF (ROUS) is 4.01%, while Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) has a volatility of 5.88%. This indicates that ROUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPHQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROUS	SPHQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.01%	5.88%	-1.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.96%	11.30%	-2.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.70%	13.46%	-1.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.43%	16.59%	-2.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.99%	17.91%	-0.92%

ROUS vs. SPHQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROUS has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than SPHQ'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. SPHQ - Dividend Comparison

ROUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%, more than SPHQ's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ROUS Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF	1.34%	1.52%	1.62%	1.91%	1.88%	1.38%	2.01%	2.12%	1.89%	1.54%	1.97%	1.62%
SPHQ Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF	1.07%	1.09%	1.15%	1.42%	1.85%	1.19%	1.55%	1.51%	1.85%	1.57%	1.67%	2.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROUS and SPHQ in my portfolio?

ROUS and SPHQ have a correlation of 0.88, 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 SPHQ?

SPHQ has higher volatility (5.88%) compared to ROUS (4.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROUS dropped -35.51% vs SPHQ's -57.83%.

Which ETF is better, ROUS or SPHQ?

On 10-year performance, SPHQ leads with 15.46% vs 12.99% for ROUS. On fees, SPHQ is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, ROUS has been the lower-risk option at 4.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROUS or SPHQ?

Over the 10-year period, SPHQ has performed better with a 15.46% return vs 12.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROUS or SPHQ?

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

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

ROUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.34%, compared with 1.07% for SPHQ.

What is the main difference between ROUS and SPHQ?

ROUS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPHQ is S&P 500. ROUS tracks Hartford Multi-factor Large Cap Index, while SPHQ tracks S&P 500 Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for ROUS and 0.15% for SPHQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.94), 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.