EQAL vs. VO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EQAL (Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - EQAL tracks the Russell 1000 Equal Weight Index while VO tracks the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EQAL returned 10.52%/yr vs 11.50%/yr for VO. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. EQAL charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VO.

Performance

EQAL vs. VO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF (EQAL) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EQAL achieves a 13.65% return, which is significantly higher than VO's 12.35% return. Over the past 10 years, EQAL has underperformed VO with an annualized return of 10.52%, while VO has yielded a comparatively higher 11.50% annualized return.

EQAL

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -0.32%
• 6M: 9.29%
• YTD: 13.65%
• 1Y: 22.55%
• 3Y*: 12.95%
• 5Y*: 7.35%
• 10Y*: 10.52%
• ALL TIME*: 9.47%

VO

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.55%
• 6M: 10.12%
• YTD: 12.35%
• 1Y: 16.51%
• 3Y*: 14.32%
• 5Y*: 7.77%
• 10Y*: 11.50%
• ALL TIME*: 10.33%

*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)
EQAL Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF	$1.43M	$1.64M	$1.88M
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	$194.51M	$293.72M	$235.90M

EQAL vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EQAL Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF	13.65%	11.05%	11.38%	11.98%	-13.49%	23.14%	16.57%	24.54%	-9.22%	17.36%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	12.35%	11.62%	15.31%	16.03%	-18.73%	24.70%	18.10%	30.98%	-9.24%	19.28%

Correlation

The correlation between EQAL and VO is 0.92, 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.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 29, 2014	0.94

The correlation between EQAL and VO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

EQAL vs. VO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EQAL	VO
Technology	14.2%	18.2%
Industrials	10.4%	19.9%
Healthcare	10.3%	7.8%
Real Estate	9.3%	5.1%
Financial Services	9.1%	13.1%
Utilities	8.4%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	8.3%	4.6%
Energy	8.0%	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	9.0%
Basic Materials	7.4%	3.9%
Communication Services	6.8%	2.7%

Return for Risk

EQAL vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank

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

EQAL

EQAL Risk / Return Rank: 80
EQAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
EQAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
EQAL Omega Ratio Rank: 76
EQAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
EQAL Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 51
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

EQAL vs. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF (EQAL) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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.

	EQAL	VO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	1.18	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	1.73	+0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.21	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	1.83	+1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.58	6.99	+4.59

EQAL vs. VO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EQAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is higher than the VO Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EQAL and VO, 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

EQAL vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EQAL drawdown since its inception was -40.44%, smaller than the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EQAL and VO.

Drawdown Indicators

	EQAL	VO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.44%	-58.87%	+18.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.67%	-8.17%	+1.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.62%	-19.02%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.79%	-27.57%	+5.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.44%	-39.37%	-1.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.85%	-0.49%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.03%	-7.81%	+2.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	2.13%	-0.29%

Volatility

EQAL vs. VO - Volatility Comparison

Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF (EQAL) has a higher volatility of 2.24% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) at 2.09%. This indicates that EQAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EQAL	VO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.24%	2.09%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.59%	9.44%	-0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.14%	12.61%	-0.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.20%	17.59%	-0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.78%	18.86%	-0.08%

EQAL vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison

EQAL has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VO's 0.03% 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

EQAL vs. VO - Dividend Comparison

EQAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, more than VO's 1.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EQAL Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF	1.69%	1.79%	1.62%	1.88%	1.95%	1.32%	1.63%	1.61%	1.62%	1.18%	1.57%	1.64%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.32%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EQAL and VO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, EQAL and VO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, EQAL or VO?

EQAL has higher volatility (2.24%) compared to VO (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EQAL dropped -40.44% vs VO's -58.87%.

Which ETF is better, EQAL or VO?

On 10-year performance, VO leads with 11.50% vs 10.52% for EQAL. On fees, VO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VO has been the lower-risk option at 2.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EQAL or VO?

Over the 10-year period, VO has performed better with a 11.50% return vs 10.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EQAL or VO?

VO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for EQAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EQAL or VO?

EQAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.69%, compared with 1.32% for VO.

What is the main difference between EQAL and VO?

EQAL tracks Russell 1000 Equal Weight Index, while VO tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for EQAL and 0.03% for VO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.18), 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.