SSUS vs. QUS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SSUS (Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. SSUS is actively managed, while QUS is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SSUS returned 11.07%/yr vs 10.77%/yr for QUS. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SSUS charges 0.81%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

SSUS vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF (SSUS) and 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, SSUS achieves a 11.37% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 5.81% return.

SSUS

• 1D: -1.69%
• 1M: -0.60%
• YTD: 11.37%
• 6M: 10.31%
• 1Y: 24.93%
• 3Y*: 16.83%
• 5Y*: 11.07%
• 10Y*: —

QUS

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: -1.12%
• YTD: 5.81%
• 6M: 5.18%
• 1Y: 16.61%
• 3Y*: 16.79%
• 5Y*: 10.77%
• 10Y*: 13.70%

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

SSUS vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SSUS Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF	11.37%	16.47%	18.86%	18.19%	-17.64%	28.02%	17.55%
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	5.81%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	9.55%

Correlation

The correlation between SSUS and QUS is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2020	0.94

The correlation between SSUS and QUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

SSUS vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SSUS	QUS
Technology	49.0%	29.2%
Communication Services	16.2%	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	5.5%
Financial Services	5.0%	14.0%
Healthcare	4.2%	13.4%
Industrials	4.0%	8.2%
Real Estate	3.5%	1.3%
Utilities	3.3%	3.4%
Energy	2.5%	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.2%	8.7%
Basic Materials	0.5%	2.2%

Return for Risk

SSUS vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSUS

SSUS Risk / Return Rank: 63
SSUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SSUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SSUS Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SSUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SSUS Martin Ratio Rank: 71

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 57
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 55
QUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
QUS Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

SSUS vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF (SSUS) and 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.

	SSUS	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.81	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	2.58	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.32	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	2.43	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.09	10.76	+1.33

SSUS vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSUS 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

SSUS vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSUS drawdown since its inception was -23.75%, smaller than the maximum QUS drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSUS and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSUS	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.75%	-33.78%	+10.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.05%	-6.85%	-2.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.60%	-13.94%	-3.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.45%	-22.30%	-1.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.59%	-1.84%	-1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.22%	-3.69%	-1.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	1.55%	+0.52%

Volatility

SSUS vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF (SSUS) has a higher volatility of 5.85% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 2.84%. This indicates that SSUS'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

	SSUS	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.85%	2.84%	+3.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.79%	6.98%	+3.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.18%	9.24%	+3.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.43%	14.34%	+1.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.93%	16.43%	+0.50%

SSUS vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSUS has a 0.81% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSUS vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

SSUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than QUS's 1.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	1.32%	1.38%	1.49%	1.57%	1.68%	1.27%	1.73%	1.81%	2.12%	1.86%	2.07%	1.48%
SSUS Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF	0.46%	0.52%	0.68%	1.07%	0.63%	0.55%	0.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSUS and QUS in my portfolio?

SSUS and QUS have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSUS or QUS?

SSUS has higher volatility (5.85%) compared to QUS (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSUS dropped -23.75% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, SSUS or QUS?

On 5-year performance, SSUS leads with 11.07% vs 10.77% for QUS. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SSUS or QUS?

Over the 5-year period, SSUS has performed better with a 11.07% return vs 10.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SSUS or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.81% for SSUS.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.32%, compared with 0.46% for SSUS.

What is the main difference between SSUS and QUS?

They also come from different issuers: Donald L. Hagan LLC and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.81% for SSUS and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.81), 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.