TOK vs. QUS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TOK (iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - TOK tracks the MSCI Kokusai Index while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TOK returned 13.73%/yr vs 13.70%/yr for QUS. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TOK charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

TOK vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (TOK) 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, TOK achieves a 7.75% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 5.81% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TOK having a 13.73% annualized return and QUS not far behind at 13.70%.

TOK

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: -0.88%
• YTD: 7.75%
• 6M: 7.00%
• 1Y: 22.54%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 11.57%
• 10Y*: 13.73%

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)

TOK vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TOK iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF	7.75%	20.83%	19.52%	24.76%	-17.93%	23.84%	15.06%	30.05%	-7.83%	22.09%
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	5.81%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	12.40%	32.45%	-3.66%	21.67%

Correlation

The correlation between TOK and QUS is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2015	0.82

The correlation between TOK and QUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

TOK vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TOK	QUS
Technology	30.8%	29.2%
Financial Services	15.5%	14.0%
Industrials	10.0%	8.2%
Healthcare	9.0%	13.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	5.5%
Communication Services	8.5%	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	8.7%
Energy	4.1%	4.2%
Basic Materials	3.3%	2.2%
Utilities	2.9%	3.4%
Real Estate	1.7%	1.3%

Return for Risk

TOK vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

TOK

TOK Risk / Return Rank: 58
TOK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
TOK Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
TOK Omega Ratio Rank: 57
TOK Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
TOK Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

TOK vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (TOK) 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.

	TOK	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.81	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	2.58	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.32	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	2.43	+0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.15	10.76	+0.39

TOK vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TOK Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TOK 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

TOK vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TOK drawdown since its inception was -56.18%, which is greater than QUS's maximum drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TOK and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	TOK	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.18%	-33.78%	-22.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.07%	-6.85%	-2.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.23%	-13.94%	-2.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.86%	-22.30%	-3.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.82%	-33.78%	-1.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.61%	-1.84%	-0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.50%	-3.69%	-4.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	1.55%	+0.48%

Volatility

TOK vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (TOK) has a higher volatility of 4.49% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 2.84%. This indicates that TOK'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

	TOK	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	2.84%	+1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.09%	6.98%	+3.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.49%	9.24%	+3.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.02%	14.34%	+1.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.12%	16.43%	+0.69%

TOK vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

TOK has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS'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

TOK vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

TOK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, which matches 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%
TOK iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF	1.33%	1.37%	1.66%	1.95%	3.55%	1.66%	1.52%	2.12%	2.74%	2.60%	2.56%	3.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TOK and QUS in my portfolio?

TOK and QUS have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TOK or QUS?

TOK has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to QUS (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TOK dropped -56.18% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, TOK or QUS?

On 10-year performance, TOK leads with 13.73% vs 13.70% 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, TOK or QUS?

Over the 10-year period, TOK has performed better with a 13.73% return vs 13.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TOK or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for TOK.

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

TOK and QUS have nearly identical dividend yields, around 1.33%.

What is the main difference between TOK and QUS?

TOK tracks MSCI Kokusai Index, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for TOK and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TOK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 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.