RFDA vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFDA (RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFDA is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by SS&C, while ITOT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P Total Market Index. RFDA is actively managed, while ITOT is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RFDA returned 13.17%/yr vs 12.69%/yr for ITOT. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RFDA charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

RFDA vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with RFDA having a 11.40% return and ITOT slightly lower at 11.25%.

RFDA

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 4.27%
• YTD: 11.40%
• 6M: 12.25%
• 1Y: 29.49%
• 3Y*: 19.19%
• 5Y*: 13.17%
• 10Y*: —

ITOT

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.12%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 22.09%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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

RFDA vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	11.40%	16.42%	20.12%	16.98%	-8.58%	25.94%	11.26%	27.15%	-9.27%	19.86%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	11.25%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	20.71%	30.67%	-5.33%	21.37%

Correlation

The correlation between RFDA and ITOT is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2016	0.90

The correlation between RFDA and ITOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

RFDA vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFDA	ITOT
Technology	19.9%	33.8%
Financial Services	14.7%	12.1%
Energy	12.5%	3.7%
Industrials	8.9%	9.5%
Healthcare	8.8%	9.0%
Communication Services	8.8%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	7.0%	10.1%
Real Estate	5.0%	2.4%
Utilities	5.0%	2.3%
Basic Materials	1.8%	2.1%

Return for Risk

RFDA vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFDA

RFDA Risk / Return Rank: 83
RFDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
RFDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
RFDA Omega Ratio Rank: 79
RFDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
RFDA Martin Ratio Rank: 89

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 68
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

RFDA vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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.

	RFDA	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.32	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	3.17	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.42	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.44	3.17	+2.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.87	14.57	+5.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFDA vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFDA Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFDA and ITOT, 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

	RFDA	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	2.32	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.74	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.57	+0.22

Drawdowns

RFDA vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFDA drawdown since its inception was -34.60%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFDA and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFDA	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.60%	-55.20%	+20.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.45%	-8.90%	+3.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.35%	-19.44%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.35%	-25.36%	+6.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.92%	-0.73%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-6.97%	+3.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.49%	1.94%	-0.45%

Volatility

RFDA vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) is 2.66%, while iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) has a volatility of 2.99%. This indicates that RFDA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFDA	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.66%	2.99%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.47%	9.13%	-0.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.64%	12.20%	-0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.73%	17.36%	-1.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.85%	18.26%	-1.41%

RFDA vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFDA has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFDA vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

RFDA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%, more than ITOT's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	0.98%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	1.77%	1.89%	2.23%	2.68%	3.57%	1.44%	1.62%	1.87%	2.44%	1.90%	0.98%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFDA and ITOT in my portfolio?

RFDA and ITOT have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFDA or ITOT?

ITOT has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to RFDA (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFDA dropped -34.60% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, RFDA or ITOT?

On 5-year performance, RFDA leads with 13.17% vs 12.69% for ITOT. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, RFDA has been the lower-risk option at 2.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFDA or ITOT?

Over the 5-year period, RFDA has performed better with a 13.17% return vs 12.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFDA or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for RFDA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RFDA or ITOT?

RFDA has the higher dividend yield at 1.77%, compared with 0.98% for ITOT.

What is the main difference between RFDA and ITOT?

RFDA is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while ITOT is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for RFDA and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.32), 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.