SAWG vs. GQGU

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SAWG (AAM Sawgrass U.S. Large Cap Quality Growth ETF) and GQGU (GQG US Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SAWG is a Quality Factor fund actively managed by AAM, while GQGU is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by GQG Partners. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SAWG returned 17.21% vs 7.17% for GQGU. Their -0.17 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. Both charge a 0.49% expense ratio.

Performance

SAWG vs. GQGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AAM Sawgrass U.S. Large Cap Quality Growth ETF (SAWG) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAWG achieves a 8.37% return, which is significantly higher than GQGU's 6.80% return.

SAWG

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 0.10%
• 6M: 8.55%
• YTD: 8.37%
• 1Y: 17.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.12%

GQGU

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 1.17%
• 6M: 2.86%
• YTD: 6.80%
• 1Y: 7.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.35%

*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)
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	$4.04M	$3.49M	$3.46M
SAWG AAM Sawgrass U.S. Large Cap Quality Growth ETF	$20.88K	$32.12K	$31.74K

SAWG vs. GQGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SAWG AAM Sawgrass U.S. Large Cap Quality Growth ETF	8.37%	8.47%
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	6.80%	-1.12%

Correlation

The correlation between SAWG and GQGU is -0.18, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2025	-0.17

Return for Risk

SAWG vs. GQGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAWG

SAWG Risk / Return Rank: 46
SAWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
SAWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
SAWG Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SAWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
SAWG Martin Ratio Rank: 49

GQGU

GQGU Risk / Return Rank: 26
GQGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GQGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
GQGU Omega Ratio Rank: 25
GQGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GQGU Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

SAWG vs. GQGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AAM Sawgrass U.S. Large Cap Quality Growth ETF (SAWG) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU). 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.

	SAWG	GQGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	0.66	+0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	1.02	+0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.12	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	0.83	+0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.64	1.92	+3.72

SAWG vs. GQGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAWG Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is higher than the GQGU Sharpe Ratio of 0.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAWG and GQGU, 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

SAWG vs. GQGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAWG drawdown since its inception was -18.68%, which is greater than GQGU's maximum drawdown of -8.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAWG and GQGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAWG	GQGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.68%	-8.41%	-10.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-8.41%	-2.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.58%	-4.47%	+2.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.57%	-3.00%	+0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.80%	3.64%	-0.84%

Volatility

SAWG vs. GQGU - Volatility Comparison

AAM Sawgrass U.S. Large Cap Quality Growth ETF (SAWG) has a higher volatility of 3.28% compared to GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU) at 2.85%. This indicates that SAWG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GQGU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAWG	GQGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	2.85%	+0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.49%	8.51%	+1.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.19%	10.67%	+2.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.05%	10.58%	+5.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.05%	10.58%	+5.47%

SAWG vs. GQGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SAWG and GQGU have an expense ratio of 0.49%.

Dividends

SAWG vs. GQGU - Dividend Comparison

SAWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.25%, less than GQGU's 0.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	0.95%	1.02%	0.00%
SAWG AAM Sawgrass U.S. Large Cap Quality Growth ETF	0.25%	0.27%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAWG and GQGU in my portfolio?

SAWG and GQGU have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAWG or GQGU?

SAWG has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to GQGU (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAWG dropped -18.68% vs GQGU's -8.41%.

Which ETF is better, SAWG or GQGU?

On 1-year performance, SAWG leads with 17.21% vs 7.17% for GQGU. Both ETFs have the same 0.49% expense ratio. On volatility, GQGU has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SAWG or GQGU?

Over the 1-year period, SAWG has performed better with a 17.21% return vs 7.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SAWG or GQGU?

SAWG and GQGU have the same expense ratio: 0.49% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SAWG or GQGU?

GQGU has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.25% for SAWG.

What is the main difference between SAWG and GQGU?

SAWG is categorized as Quality Factor, while GQGU is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: AAM and GQG Partners.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAWG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 0.66), 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.