RFV vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFV (Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Value ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P Mid Cap 400 Pure Value, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, RFV returned 25.06% vs 3.95% for VGUS. At a correlation of -0.15, they often move in opposite directions. RFV charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

RFV vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Value ETF (RFV) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFV achieves a 13.04% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.44% return.

RFV

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 3.75%
• YTD: 13.04%
• 6M: 10.71%
• 1Y: 25.06%
• 3Y*: 16.77%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: 12.53%

VGUS

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.44%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RFV vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RFV Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Value ETF	13.04%	5.11%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.44%	3.77%

Correlation

The correlation between RFV and VGUS is -0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2025	-0.15

Return for Risk

RFV vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFV

RFV Risk / Return Rank: 39
RFV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
RFV Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
RFV Omega Ratio Rank: 37
RFV Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
RFV Martin Ratio Rank: 38

VGUS

VGUS Risk / Return Rank: 100
VGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

RFV vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Value ETF (RFV) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). 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.

	RFV	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	12.10	-10.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.13	35.16	-33.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	10.91	-9.66
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	54.56	-52.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	414.20	-408.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFV vs. VGUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFV Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the VGUS Sharpe Ratio of 12.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFV and VGUS, 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

	RFV	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	12.10	-10.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	11.72	-11.35

Drawdowns

RFV vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFV drawdown since its inception was -71.82%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFV and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFV	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.82%	-0.07%	-71.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.51%	-0.07%	-12.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.65%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.65%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.36%	0.00%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.79%	-0.00%	-9.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.23%	0.01%	+4.22%

Volatility

RFV vs. VGUS - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Value ETF (RFV) has a higher volatility of 4.60% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) at 0.11%. This indicates that RFV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFV	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	0.11%	+4.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.86%	0.18%	+11.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.13%	0.33%	+17.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.08%	0.34%	+21.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.99%	0.34%	+24.65%

RFV vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFV has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFV vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

RFV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.84%, less than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RFV Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Value ETF	1.84%	2.07%	1.31%	1.27%	2.05%	1.60%	1.52%	1.71%	1.39%	1.36%	0.88%	1.79%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFV and VGUS in my portfolio?

RFV and VGUS have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFV or VGUS?

RFV has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to VGUS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFV dropped -71.82% vs VGUS's -0.07%.

Which ETF is better, RFV or VGUS?

On 1-year performance, RFV leads with 25.06% vs 3.95% for VGUS. On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VGUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFV or VGUS?

Over the 1-year period, RFV has performed better with a 25.06% return vs 3.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFV or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for RFV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RFV or VGUS?

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 1.84% for RFV.

What is the main difference between RFV and VGUS?

RFV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. RFV tracks S&P Mid Cap 400 Pure Value, while VGUS tracks Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for RFV and 0.07% for VGUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.10 vs 1.39), 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.