SIXA vs. QUS

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SIXA (6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF) and QUS (State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. SIXA is actively managed, while QUS is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIXA returned 12.46%/yr vs 10.91%/yr for QUS. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SIXA charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

SIXA vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF (SIXA) and State Street 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, SIXA achieves a 14.36% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 10.23% return.

SIXA

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 0.88%
• 6M: 8.31%
• YTD: 14.36%
• 1Y: 19.61%
• 3Y*: 19.93%
• 5Y*: 12.46%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.02%

QUS

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 1.29%
• 6M: 7.60%
• YTD: 10.23%
• 1Y: 19.80%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 10.91%
• 10Y*: 13.54%
• ALL TIME*: 12.75%

*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)
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	$3.01M	$4.81M	$3.43M
SIXA 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF	$1.52M	$1.58M	$834.78K

SIXA vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SIXA 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF	14.36%	15.52%	22.70%	11.98%	-5.72%	23.87%	19.04%
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	10.23%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	24.64%

Correlation

The correlation between SIXA and QUS is 0.76, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2020	0.88

The correlation between SIXA and QUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SIXA vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIXA	QUS
Consumer Defensive	23.8%	8.3%
Technology	17.0%	28.4%
Healthcare	15.0%	14.4%
Financial Services	12.8%	15.7%
Communication Services	10.4%	8.2%
Consumer Cyclical	5.1%	5.7%
Energy	4.9%	3.3%
Industrials	4.6%	8.1%
Real Estate	3.8%	1.6%
Utilities	2.7%	3.9%
Basic Materials	-	2.2%

Return for Risk

SIXA vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIXA

SIXA Risk / Return Rank: 87
SIXA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
SIXA Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SIXA Omega Ratio Rank: 85
SIXA Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SIXA Martin Ratio Rank: 87

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 85
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 86
QUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
QUS Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

SIXA vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF (SIXA) and State Street 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.

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.

	SIXA	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.16	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.25	3.05	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.39	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	2.90	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.39	12.95	+0.44

SIXA vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIXA Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIXA 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.

Drawdowns

SIXA vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIXA drawdown since its inception was -18.38%, smaller than the maximum QUS drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIXA and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIXA	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.38%	-33.78%	+15.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.59%	-6.85%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.22%	-13.94%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.38%	-22.30%	+3.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	0.00%	-1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.93%	-3.66%	+0.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.47%	1.53%	-0.06%

Volatility

SIXA vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF (SIXA) has a higher volatility of 2.69% compared to State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 2.42%. This indicates that SIXA'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

	SIXA	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.69%	2.42%	+0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.96%	6.97%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.02%	9.22%	-0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.77%	14.32%	-1.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.26%	16.40%	-3.14%

SIXA vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIXA has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIXA vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

SIXA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.98%, more than QUS's 1.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	1.27%	1.38%	1.49%	1.57%	1.68%	1.27%	1.73%	1.81%	2.12%	1.86%	2.07%	1.48%
SIXA 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF	1.98%	2.31%	1.62%	2.12%	2.23%	1.63%	1.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIXA and QUS in my portfolio?

SIXA and QUS have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIXA or QUS?

SIXA has higher volatility (2.69%) compared to QUS (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIXA dropped -18.38% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, SIXA or QUS?

On 5-year performance, SIXA leads with 12.46% vs 10.91% for QUS. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIXA or QUS?

Over the 5-year period, SIXA has performed better with a 12.46% return vs 10.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIXA or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for SIXA.

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

SIXA has the higher dividend yield at 1.98%, compared with 1.27% for QUS.

What is the main difference between SIXA and QUS?

They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for SIXA and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SIXA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 2.16), 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.