VUSE vs. QVAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VUSE (Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF) and QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. VUSE is passively managed, while QVAL is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VUSE returned 12.38%/yr vs 11.64%/yr for QVAL. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VUSE charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for QVAL.

Performance

VUSE vs. QVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUSE achieves a 9.45% return, which is significantly lower than QVAL's 14.68% return. Over the past 10 years, VUSE has outperformed QVAL with an annualized return of 12.38%, while QVAL has yielded a comparatively lower 11.64% annualized return.

VUSE

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 5.30%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 9.20%
• 1Y: 18.48%
• 3Y*: 17.51%
• 5Y*: 10.93%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

QVAL

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: 12.15%
• 10Y*: 11.64%

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

VUSE vs. QVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUSE Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	9.45%	13.18%	15.77%	24.36%	-9.42%	35.46%	6.76%	20.74%	-15.25%	16.62%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	14.68%	10.98%	12.21%	28.40%	-11.80%	34.40%	-5.93%	24.06%	-17.28%	25.59%

Correlation

The correlation between VUSE and QVAL is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.84

Over the past year, the correlation between VUSE and QVAL has dropped to 0.63 - well below their long-term average of 0.84, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VUSE vs. QVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUSE	QVAL
Technology	33.1%	16.7%
Financial Services	14.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	32.4%
Healthcare	9.5%	11.1%
Communication Services	9.4%	3.8%
Industrials	8.6%	15.0%
Consumer Defensive	7.3%	7.9%
Basic Materials	2.7%	7.6%
Energy	2.6%	5.5%
Utilities	1.3%	-
Real Estate	1.0%	2.0%

Return for Risk

VUSE vs. QVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUSE

VUSE Risk / Return Rank: 42
VUSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VUSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VUSE Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VUSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VUSE Martin Ratio Rank: 45

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 69
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

VUSE vs. QVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). 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.

	VUSE	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	2.07	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	3.21	-1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.35	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	4.93	-2.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.45	13.98	-6.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VUSE vs. QVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUSE Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is comparable to the QVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUSE and QVAL, 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

	VUSE	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	2.07	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.56	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.51	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.49	+0.05

Drawdowns

VUSE vs. QVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUSE drawdown since its inception was -43.92%, smaller than the maximum QVAL drawdown of -51.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSE and QVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUSE	QVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.92%	-51.49%	+7.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-6.04%	-3.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.93%	-21.41%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.34%	-27.17%	+5.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.92%	-51.49%	+7.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.86%	-0.78%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.62%	-7.80%	+2.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	2.13%	+0.35%

Volatility

VUSE vs. QVAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) is 2.99%, while Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) has a volatility of 4.16%. This indicates that VUSE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUSE	QVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	4.16%	-1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.49%	10.06%	-0.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	14.44%	-1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.46%	21.63%	-4.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.21%	22.79%	-2.58%

VUSE vs. QVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUSE has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than QVAL's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUSE vs. QVAL - Dividend Comparison

VUSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than QVAL's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.46%	1.44%	1.72%	1.76%	2.00%	1.23%	1.86%	1.99%	1.64%	1.08%	1.30%	0.00%
VUSE Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	0.44%	0.47%	0.84%	1.15%	1.57%	1.16%	1.33%	1.61%	1.55%	1.16%	1.25%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUSE and QVAL in my portfolio?

VUSE and QVAL have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VUSE or QVAL?

QVAL has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to VUSE (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUSE dropped -43.92% vs QVAL's -51.49%.

Which ETF is better, VUSE or QVAL?

On 10-year performance, VUSE leads with 12.38% vs 11.64% for QVAL. On fees, QVAL is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, VUSE has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VUSE or QVAL?

Over the 10-year period, VUSE has performed better with a 12.38% return vs 11.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUSE or QVAL?

QVAL is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for VUSE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VUSE or QVAL?

QVAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 0.44% for VUSE.

What is the main difference between VUSE and QVAL?

They also come from different issuers: Vident and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for VUSE and 0.28% for QVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.47), 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.