RFFC vs. VTI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

RFFC (ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. RFFC is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFFC returned 12.66%/yr vs 14.66%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RFFC charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

RFFC vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFFC achieves a 13.17% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 12.18% return. Over the past 10 years, RFFC has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 12.66%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.66% annualized return.

RFFC

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: 0.70%
• 6M: 7.66%
• YTD: 13.17%
• 1Y: 25.29%
• 3Y*: 20.49%
• 5Y*: 11.88%
• 10Y*: 12.66%
• ALL TIME*: 12.74%

VTI

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: 1.38%
• 6M: 9.81%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 1Y: 23.70%
• 3Y*: 20.38%
• 5Y*: 12.06%
• 10Y*: 14.66%
• ALL TIME*: 9.64%

*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)
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	$84.66K	$66.37K	$69.76K
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.08B	$1.16B	$1.24B

RFFC vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	13.17%	16.83%	23.51%	19.50%	-14.58%	22.33%	12.48%	24.77%	-10.23%	21.02%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.18%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between RFFC and VTI is 0.94, 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.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
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 Jun 7, 2016	0.94

The correlation between RFFC and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

RFFC vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFFC	VTI
Technology	32.4%	36.1%
Industrials	13.4%	10.2%
Healthcare	12.5%	9.7%
Financial Services	11.0%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	9.4%
Communication Services	8.0%	9.1%
Energy	4.4%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	4.3%
Utilities	2.5%	2.2%
Basic Materials	2.3%	1.9%
Real Estate	2.2%	2.3%

Return for Risk

RFFC vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFFC

RFFC Risk / Return Rank: 80
RFFC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
RFFC Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
RFFC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
RFFC Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
RFFC Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 78
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

RFFC vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	RFFC	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.82	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	2.52	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.32	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	2.67	+0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.26	11.50	+0.75

RFFC vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFFC Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFFC and VTI, 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

RFFC vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFFC drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFFC and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFFC	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-55.45%	+19.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-8.92%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	-19.30%	+0.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.29%	-25.36%	+3.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.26%	-35.00%	-1.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.96%	-7.98%	+3.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	2.07%	0.00%

Volatility

RFFC vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) is 3.28%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 3.78%. This indicates that RFFC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFFC	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	3.78%	-0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.86%	10.33%	-0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.57%	13.08%	-0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.33%	17.53%	-1.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.95%	18.31%	-0.36%

RFFC vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFFC has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFFC vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

RFFC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%, less than VTI's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	0.62%	0.78%	1.05%	1.35%	1.41%	0.71%	1.79%	1.34%	1.36%	0.93%	0.66%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.04%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFFC and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, RFFC and VTI 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, RFFC or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (3.78%) compared to RFFC (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFFC dropped -36.26% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, RFFC or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.66% vs 12.66% for RFFC. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, RFFC has been the lower-risk option at 3.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFFC or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 14.66% return vs 12.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFFC or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for RFFC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RFFC or VTI?

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.62% for RFFC.

What is the main difference between RFFC and VTI?

They also come from different issuers: SS&C and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for RFFC and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFFC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.82), 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.