RDVY vs. IUS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and IUS (Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - RDVY tracks the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers while IUS tracks the Invesco Strategic US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RDVY returned 11.26%/yr vs 13.72%/yr for IUS. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RDVY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IUS.

Performance

RDVY vs. IUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RDVY achieves a 11.06% return, which is significantly lower than IUS's 16.26% return.

RDVY

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 3.30%
• YTD: 11.06%
• 6M: 11.87%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 21.09%
• 5Y*: 11.26%
• 10Y*: 15.65%

IUS

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.37%
• YTD: 16.26%
• 6M: 16.49%
• 1Y: 34.28%
• 3Y*: 21.21%
• 5Y*: 13.72%
• 10Y*: —

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

RDVY vs. IUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	11.06%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-14.51%
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	16.26%	16.94%	16.51%	20.79%	-8.34%	32.17%	15.09%	29.34%	-12.49%

Correlation

The correlation between RDVY and IUS is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2018	0.86

The correlation between RDVY and IUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

RDVY vs. IUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RDVY	IUS
Financial Services	36.5%	6.8%
Technology	17.6%	22.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	10.7%
Industrials	12.2%	9.7%
Healthcare	8.1%	12.8%
Communication Services	5.4%	14.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	7.4%
Energy	1.4%	10.9%
Utilities	1.4%	1.0%
Basic Materials	-	3.3%
Real Estate	-	0.5%

Return for Risk

RDVY vs. IUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 63
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 59
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 71

IUS

IUS Risk / Return Rank: 92
IUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
IUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
IUS Omega Ratio Rank: 92
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.

RDVY vs. IUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) 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.

	RDVY	IUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	3.36	-1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	4.65	-1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.61	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.12	5.60	-2.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.11	23.98	-10.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RDVY vs. IUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDVY Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is lower than the IUS Sharpe Ratio of 3.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDVY 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RDVY	IUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.01	3.36	-1.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.92	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.86	-0.19

Drawdowns

RDVY vs. IUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDVY drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than IUS's maximum drawdown of -34.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDVY and IUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDVY	IUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-34.67%	-5.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-6.15%	-2.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.11%	-15.61%	-3.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	-18.72%	-6.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.00%	-3.86%	-1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	1.43%	+0.71%

Volatility

RDVY vs. IUS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) has a higher volatility of 4.01% compared to Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) at 2.39%. This indicates that RDVY'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

	RDVY	IUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.01%	2.39%	+1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.99%	7.42%	+3.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.04%	10.26%	+3.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.92%	15.00%	+3.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.11%	18.04%	+3.07%

RDVY vs. IUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDVY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IUS's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDVY vs. IUS - Dividend Comparison

RDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than IUS's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	1.28%	1.48%	1.52%	1.72%	1.78%	1.46%	1.74%	1.77%	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.91%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDVY and IUS in my portfolio?

RDVY and IUS have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDVY or IUS?

RDVY has higher volatility (4.01%) compared to IUS (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDVY dropped -40.60% vs IUS's -34.67%.

Which ETF is better, RDVY or IUS?

On 5-year performance, IUS leads with 13.72% vs 11.26% for RDVY. On fees, IUS is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RDVY or IUS?

Over the 5-year period, IUS has performed better with a 13.72% return vs 11.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDVY or IUS?

IUS is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for RDVY.

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

IUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.91% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between RDVY and IUS?

RDVY tracks NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers, while IUS tracks Invesco Strategic US Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for RDVY and 0.19% for IUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.36 vs 2.01), 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.