RFG vs. JSML

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG) and Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML).

RFG and JSML are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. RFG is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the S&P Mid Cap 400 Pure Growth. It was launched on Mar 1, 2006. JSML is a passively managed fund by Janus Henderson that tracks the performance of the Janus Small Cap Growth Alpha Index. It was launched on Feb 25, 2016. Both RFG and JSML are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

RFG vs. JSML - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG) and Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

RFG vs. JSML - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFG Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF	5.89%	8.80%	17.80%	16.42%	-21.70%	13.81%	32.86%	17.09%	-13.98%	20.46%
JSML Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF	-3.74%	13.41%	12.45%	30.09%	-29.40%	3.08%	35.38%	32.50%	-2.53%	20.93%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFG achieves a 5.89% return, which is significantly higher than JSML's -3.74% return. Over the past 10 years, RFG has underperformed JSML with an annualized return of 9.17%, while JSML has yielded a comparatively higher 11.05% annualized return.

RFG

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: -5.93%
• YTD: 5.89%
• 6M: 8.54%
• 1Y: 26.07%
• 3Y*: 15.48%
• 5Y*: 5.10%
• 10Y*: 9.17%

JSML

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: -7.17%
• YTD: -3.74%
• 6M: -4.94%
• 1Y: 17.18%
• 3Y*: 13.15%
• 5Y*: 1.35%
• 10Y*: 11.05%

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

RFG vs. JSML - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFG has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than JSML's 0.30% expense ratio.

RFG

Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF

JSML

Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF

Return for Risk

RFG vs. JSML — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFG

RFG Risk / Return Rank: 67
RFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
RFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
RFG Omega Ratio Rank: 59
RFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
RFG Martin Ratio Rank: 76

JSML

JSML Risk / Return Rank: 38
JSML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
JSML Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
JSML Omega Ratio Rank: 33
JSML Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
JSML Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

RFG vs. JSML - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG) and Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML). 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.

	RFG	JSML	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	0.72	+0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	1.16	+0.55
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.14	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	1.15	+0.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.69	3.90	+4.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFG vs. JSML - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFG Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is higher than the JSML Sharpe Ratio of 0.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFG and JSML, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RFG	JSML	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.13	0.72	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.06	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.46	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.48	-0.08

Correlation

The correlation between RFG and JSML is 0.84, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

RFG vs. JSML - Dividend Comparison

RFG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than JSML's 0.65% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RFG Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF	0.36%	0.43%	0.38%	0.99%	0.78%	0.05%	0.27%	0.64%	0.76%	0.66%	0.35%	0.61%
JSML Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF	0.65%	0.94%	1.19%	0.49%	0.67%	0.46%	0.30%	0.27%	0.76%	0.42%	0.52%	0.00%

Drawdowns

RFG vs. JSML - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFG drawdown since its inception was -51.93%, which is greater than JSML's maximum drawdown of -39.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFG and JSML.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFG	JSML	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.93%	-39.65%	-12.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.44%	-14.84%	+1.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.16%	-37.91%	+2.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.92%	-39.65%	-3.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.93%	-10.28%	+4.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.03%	-11.01%	+1.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	4.37%	-1.24%

Volatility

RFG vs. JSML - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG) is 8.51%, while Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML) has a volatility of 9.03%. This indicates that RFG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JSML based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFG	JSML	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.51%	9.03%	-0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.24%	16.39%	-2.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.28%	23.93%	-0.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.73%	24.18%	-1.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.98%	24.15%	-1.17%