SAMT vs. IUS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SAMT (Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF) and IUS (Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. SAMT is actively managed, while IUS is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SAMT returned 27.93%/yr vs 19.92%/yr for IUS. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SAMT charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IUS.

Performance

SAMT vs. IUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT) and Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAMT achieves a 19.97% return, which is significantly higher than IUS's 14.45% return.

SAMT

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 19.97%
• 6M: 17.75%
• 1Y: 39.83%
• 3Y*: 27.93%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IUS

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 14.45%
• 6M: 14.22%
• 1Y: 31.41%
• 3Y*: 19.92%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: —

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

SAMT vs. IUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SAMT Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF	19.97%	33.10%	28.15%	1.27%	-6.30%
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	14.45%	16.94%	16.51%	20.79%	-4.46%

Correlation

The correlation between SAMT and IUS is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2022	0.77

The correlation between SAMT and IUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.77 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SAMT vs. IUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SAMT	IUS
Technology	25.0%	26.7%
Industrials	23.3%	9.7%
Consumer Defensive	12.1%	6.9%
Healthcare	7.5%	12.6%
Utilities	6.9%	1.0%
Consumer Cyclical	5.8%	10.4%
Communication Services	5.7%	13.0%
Financial Services	5.4%	6.8%
Real Estate	2.8%	0.4%
Energy	2.8%	9.4%
Basic Materials	2.7%	3.2%

Return for Risk

SAMT vs. IUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAMT

SAMT Risk / Return Rank: 74
SAMT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SAMT Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SAMT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SAMT Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SAMT Martin Ratio Rank: 73

IUS

IUS Risk / Return Rank: 90
IUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
IUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
IUS Omega Ratio Rank: 89
IUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
IUS Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

SAMT vs. IUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT) and Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS). 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.

	SAMT	IUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.95	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	4.02	-1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.53	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.91	5.13	-0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.25	21.42	-8.17

SAMT vs. IUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAMT Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the IUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAMT and IUS, 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

SAMT vs. IUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAMT drawdown since its inception was -20.57%, smaller than the maximum IUS drawdown of -34.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAMT and IUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAMT	IUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.57%	-34.67%	+14.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.15%	-6.15%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.27%	-15.61%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.92%	-1.74%	+0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.66%	-3.85%	-3.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	1.47%	+1.54%

Volatility

SAMT vs. IUS - Volatility Comparison

Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT) has a higher volatility of 6.82% compared to Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) at 3.84%. This indicates that SAMT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAMT	IUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.82%	3.84%	+2.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.57%	8.03%	+5.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.52%	10.71%	+6.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.07%	15.03%	+2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.07%	18.03%	-0.96%

SAMT vs. IUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAMT has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than IUS's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAMT vs. IUS - Dividend Comparison

SAMT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.58%, less than IUS's 1.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	1.62%	1.48%	1.52%	1.72%	1.78%	1.46%	1.74%	1.77%	0.73%
SAMT Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF	0.58%	0.70%	1.40%	1.49%	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAMT and IUS in my portfolio?

SAMT and IUS have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAMT or IUS?

SAMT has higher volatility (6.82%) compared to IUS (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAMT dropped -20.57% vs IUS's -34.67%.

Which ETF is better, SAMT or IUS?

On 3-year performance, SAMT leads with 27.93% vs 19.92% for IUS. On fees, IUS is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IUS has been the lower-risk option at 3.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SAMT or IUS?

Over the 3-year period, SAMT has performed better with a 27.93% return vs 19.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SAMT or IUS?

IUS is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for SAMT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SAMT or IUS?

IUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.62%, compared with 0.58% for SAMT.

What is the main difference between SAMT and IUS?

They also come from different issuers: Strategas and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.66% for SAMT and 0.19% for IUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.95 vs 2.29), 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.