VEGN vs. QUS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VEGN (US Vegan Climate ETF) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - VEGN tracks the US Vegan Climate Index while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VEGN returned 17.14%/yr vs 11.37%/yr for QUS. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEGN charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

VEGN vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN) 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, VEGN achieves a 32.90% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 7.13% return.

VEGN

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 19.56%
• YTD: 32.90%
• 6M: 34.35%
• 1Y: 52.58%
• 3Y*: 30.29%
• 5Y*: 17.14%
• 10Y*: —

QUS

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 7.13%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 18.57%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 11.37%
• 10Y*: 13.72%

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

VEGN vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VEGN US Vegan Climate ETF	32.90%	13.71%	25.42%	38.10%	-26.87%	26.01%	27.72%	9.10%
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	7.13%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	12.40%	8.38%

Correlation

The correlation between VEGN and QUS is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 11, 2019	0.89

The correlation between VEGN and QUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VEGN vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEGN	QUS
Technology	56.2%	26.3%
Financial Services	15.8%	14.6%
Communication Services	10.7%	10.2%
Industrials	5.7%	8.6%
Healthcare	5.6%	13.4%
Real Estate	3.7%	1.4%
Consumer Cyclical	2.1%	5.8%
Basic Materials	0.1%	2.3%
Utilities	0.1%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	9.2%
Energy	-	4.6%

Return for Risk

VEGN vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEGN

VEGN Risk / Return Rank: 87
VEGN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VEGN Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VEGN Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VEGN Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VEGN Martin Ratio Rank: 86

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 61
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 60
QUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
QUS Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

VEGN vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN) 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.

	VEGN	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.25	2.06	+1.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.22	2.94	+1.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.37	+0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.46	2.77	+1.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.23	12.37	+5.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEGN vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEGN Sharpe Ratio is 3.25, which is higher than the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEGN 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VEGN	QUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25	2.06	+1.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.80	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.77	+0.10

Drawdowns

VEGN vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEGN drawdown since its inception was -34.14%, roughly equal to the maximum QUS drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEGN and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEGN	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.14%	-33.78%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.85%	-6.85%	-5.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.91%	-13.94%	-6.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.40%	-22.30%	-11.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.07%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.59%	-3.70%	-3.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	1.53%	+1.37%

Volatility

VEGN vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN) has a higher volatility of 5.95% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 1.80%. This indicates that VEGN'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

	VEGN	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.95%	1.80%	+4.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.38%	6.68%	+6.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.24%	9.08%	+7.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.27%	14.32%	+5.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.77%	16.42%	+6.35%

VEGN vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEGN has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEGN vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

VEGN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than QUS's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	1.31%	1.38%	1.49%	1.57%	1.68%	1.27%	1.73%	1.81%	2.12%	1.86%	2.07%	1.48%
VEGN US Vegan Climate ETF	0.44%	0.51%	0.51%	0.67%	0.81%	0.41%	0.71%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEGN and QUS in my portfolio?

VEGN and QUS have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEGN or QUS?

VEGN has higher volatility (5.95%) compared to QUS (1.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEGN dropped -34.14% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, VEGN or QUS?

On 5-year performance, VEGN leads with 17.14% vs 11.37% for QUS. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 1.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEGN or QUS?

Over the 5-year period, VEGN has performed better with a 17.14% return vs 11.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEGN or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for VEGN.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.44% for VEGN.

What is the main difference between VEGN and QUS?

VEGN tracks US Vegan Climate Index, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). They also come from different issuers: Beyond Investing and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for VEGN and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEGN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.25 vs 2.06), 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.