XMAG vs. IUS

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

XMAG (Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF) and IUS (Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - XMAG tracks the BITA US 500 ex Magnificent 7 Index while IUS tracks the Invesco Strategic US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XMAG returned 24.56% vs 30.16% for IUS. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XMAG charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IUS.

Performance

XMAG vs. IUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) and Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with XMAG having a 14.15% return and IUS slightly higher at 14.31%.

XMAG

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 3.37%
• YTD: 14.15%
• 6M: 13.13%
• 1Y: 24.56%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IUS

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -0.40%
• YTD: 14.31%
• 6M: 13.44%
• 1Y: 30.16%
• 3Y*: 19.87%
• 5Y*: 13.60%
• 10Y*: —

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

XMAG vs. IUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XMAG Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF	14.15%	15.63%	-1.52%
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	14.31%	16.94%	-1.16%

Correlation

The correlation between XMAG and IUS is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2024	0.90

The correlation between XMAG and IUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

XMAG vs. IUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XMAG	IUS
Technology	29.0%	26.7%
Financial Services	16.7%	6.8%
Healthcare	12.6%	12.6%
Industrials	12.1%	9.7%
Consumer Defensive	6.9%	6.9%
Consumer Cyclical	5.5%	10.4%
Energy	4.7%	9.4%
Utilities	3.8%	1.0%
Communication Services	3.2%	13.0%
Real Estate	2.7%	0.4%
Basic Materials	2.5%	3.2%

Return for Risk

XMAG vs. IUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

XMAG

XMAG Risk / Return Rank: 78
XMAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
XMAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
XMAG Omega Ratio Rank: 73
XMAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
XMAG Martin Ratio Rank: 84

IUS

IUS Risk / Return Rank: 92
IUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
IUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
IUS Omega Ratio Rank: 91
IUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
IUS Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

XMAG vs. IUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) and Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS). 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.

	XMAG	IUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	2.84	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.89	-0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.52	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	4.93	-1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.86	20.40	-5.53

XMAG vs. IUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XMAG Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the IUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XMAG and IUS, 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

XMAG vs. IUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XMAG drawdown since its inception was -16.17%, smaller than the maximum IUS drawdown of -34.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XMAG and IUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	XMAG	IUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.17%	-34.67%	+18.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.29%	-6.15%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.61%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.86%	+1.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.08%	-3.84%	+1.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.66%	1.48%	+0.18%

Volatility

XMAG vs. IUS - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) has a higher volatility of 4.44% compared to Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) at 3.74%. This indicates that XMAG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XMAG	IUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.44%	3.74%	+0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.25%	8.02%	+1.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.67%	10.67%	+1.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.18%	15.03%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.18%	18.01%	-2.83%

XMAG vs. IUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

XMAG has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IUS's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

XMAG vs. IUS - Dividend Comparison

XMAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than IUS's 1.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	1.30%	1.48%	1.52%	1.72%	1.78%	1.46%	1.74%	1.77%	0.73%
XMAG Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF	0.45%	0.51%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XMAG and IUS in my portfolio?

XMAG and IUS have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XMAG or IUS?

XMAG has higher volatility (4.44%) compared to IUS (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XMAG dropped -16.17% vs IUS's -34.67%.

Which ETF is better, XMAG or IUS?

On 1-year performance, IUS leads with 30.16% vs 24.56% for XMAG. On fees, IUS is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IUS has been the lower-risk option at 3.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XMAG or IUS?

Over the 1-year period, IUS has performed better with a 30.16% return vs 24.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XMAG or IUS?

IUS is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XMAG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XMAG or IUS?

IUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.30%, compared with 0.45% for XMAG.

What is the main difference between XMAG and IUS?

XMAG tracks BITA US 500 ex Magnificent 7 Index, while IUS tracks Invesco Strategic US Index. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XMAG and 0.19% for IUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 2.12), 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.