VTI vs. QUS

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and QUS (State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - VTI tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 14.87%/yr vs 13.70%/yr for QUS. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

VTI vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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, VTI achieves a 14.27% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 11.77% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed QUS with an annualized return of 14.87%, while QUS has yielded a comparatively lower 13.70% annualized return.

VTI

• 1D: 1.87%
• 1M: 3.27%
• 6M: 12.73%
• YTD: 14.27%
• 1Y: 24.07%
• 3Y*: 21.13%
• 5Y*: 12.31%
• 10Y*: 14.87%
• ALL TIME*: 9.72%

QUS

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: 2.71%
• 6M: 9.58%
• YTD: 11.77%
• 1Y: 19.92%
• 3Y*: 17.65%
• 5Y*: 11.10%
• 10Y*: 13.70%
• ALL TIME*: 12.89%

*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	$3.23M	$4.78M	$3.45M
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.13B	$1.17B	$1.24B

VTI vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	14.27%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	11.77%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	12.40%	32.45%	-3.66%	21.67%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and QUS is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2015	0.87

The correlation between VTI and QUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (1 year) to 0.94 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VTI vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTI	QUS
Technology	36.1%	28.4%
Financial Services	11.8%	15.7%
Industrials	10.2%	8.1%
Healthcare	9.7%	14.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	5.7%
Communication Services	9.1%	8.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	8.3%
Energy	3.2%	3.3%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.6%
Utilities	2.2%	3.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	2.2%

Return for Risk

VTI vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 82
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
QUS Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

VTI vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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.

	VTI	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	2.17	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.07	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.39	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	2.92	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.68	13.04	-1.36

VTI vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI 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

VTI vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than QUS's maximum drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTI	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.45%	-33.78%	-21.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-6.85%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-13.94%	-5.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-22.30%	-3.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	-33.78%	-1.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.98%	-3.66%	-4.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	1.53%	+0.54%

Volatility

VTI vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a higher volatility of 4.13% compared to State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 2.76%. This indicates that VTI'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

	VTI	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.13%	2.76%	+1.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.47%	7.08%	+3.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.18%	9.29%	+3.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.54%	14.34%	+3.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.32%	16.40%	+1.92%

VTI vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTI vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than QUS's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QUS State Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	1.25%	1.38%	1.49%	1.57%	1.68%	1.27%	1.73%	1.81%	2.12%	1.86%	2.07%	1.48%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.02%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTI and QUS in my portfolio?

VTI and QUS have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTI or QUS?

VTI has higher volatility (4.13%) compared to QUS (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, VTI or QUS?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.87% vs 13.70% for QUS. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTI or QUS?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 14.87% return vs 13.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTI or QUS?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QUS.

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

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 1.02% for VTI.

What is the main difference between VTI and QUS?

VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.85), 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.