RSP vs. PPA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RSP (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF) and PPA (Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RSP is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index, while PPA is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the SPADE Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RSP returned 11.86%/yr vs 17.38%/yr for PPA. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RSP charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for PPA.

Performance

RSP vs. PPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSP achieves a 9.70% return, which is significantly higher than PPA's 8.54% return. Over the past 10 years, RSP has underperformed PPA with an annualized return of 11.86%, while PPA has yielded a comparatively higher 17.38% annualized return.

RSP

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 3.77%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 10.18%
• 1Y: 19.50%
• 3Y*: 15.23%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: 11.86%

PPA

• 1D: -1.74%
• 1M: 3.19%
• YTD: 8.54%
• 6M: 13.46%
• 1Y: 26.57%
• 3Y*: 28.92%
• 5Y*: 17.82%
• 10Y*: 17.38%

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

RSP vs. PPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF	9.70%	11.21%	12.79%	13.70%	-11.62%	29.41%	12.66%	28.91%	-7.84%	18.52%
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	8.54%	37.15%	25.28%	18.41%	9.52%	7.09%	0.45%	39.63%	-7.51%	30.10%

Correlation

The correlation between RSP and PPA is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2005	0.82

Over the past year, the correlation between RSP and PPA has dropped to 0.56 - well below their long-term average of 0.82, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RSP vs. PPA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSP	PPA
Technology	19.6%	9.8%
Financial Services	14.5%	-
Industrials	14.1%	90.1%
Healthcare	11.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	-
Utilities	6.1%	-
Real Estate	6.0%	-
Energy	4.5%	-
Basic Materials	4.1%	-
Communication Services	3.7%	0.1%

Return for Risk

RSP vs. PPA — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSP

RSP Risk / Return Rank: 49
RSP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
RSP Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
RSP Omega Ratio Rank: 46
RSP Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
RSP Martin Ratio Rank: 54

PPA

PPA Risk / Return Rank: 37
PPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
PPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
PPA Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
PPA Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

RSP vs. PPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA). 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.

	RSP	PPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.40	+0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.05	+0.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.24	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	1.95	+0.55
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.48	5.68	+3.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RSP vs. PPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSP Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the PPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSP and PPA, 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

	RSP	PPA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	1.40	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.97	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.84	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.66	-0.09

Drawdowns

RSP vs. PPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSP drawdown since its inception was -59.92%, roughly equal to the maximum PPA drawdown of -57.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSP and PPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSP	PPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.92%	-57.37%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-13.71%	+5.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.81%	-15.24%	-2.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.38%	-18.37%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.04%	-43.92%	+4.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	-8.40%	+8.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.65%	-9.18%	+2.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	4.69%	-2.63%

Volatility

RSP vs. PPA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) is 2.56%, while Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) has a volatility of 6.73%. This indicates that RSP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PPA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSP	PPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.56%	6.73%	-4.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.29%	15.95%	-7.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.56%	19.03%	-7.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	18.49%	-2.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.35%	20.64%	-2.29%

RSP vs. PPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSP has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than PPA's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSP vs. PPA - Dividend Comparison

RSP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, more than PPA's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.39%	0.42%	0.61%	0.67%	0.83%	0.59%	0.88%	0.95%	0.90%	0.67%	1.70%	1.41%
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF	1.49%	1.64%	1.52%	1.64%	1.82%	1.28%	1.64%	1.69%	2.02%	1.52%	1.20%	1.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSP and PPA in my portfolio?

RSP and PPA have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSP or PPA?

PPA has higher volatility (6.73%) compared to RSP (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSP dropped -59.92% vs PPA's -57.37%.

Which ETF is better, RSP or PPA?

On 10-year performance, PPA leads with 17.38% vs 11.86% for RSP. On fees, RSP is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, RSP has been the lower-risk option at 2.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSP or PPA?

Over the 10-year period, PPA has performed better with a 17.38% return vs 11.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSP or PPA?

RSP is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for PPA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSP or PPA?

RSP has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.39% for PPA.

What is the main difference between RSP and PPA?

RSP is categorized as S&P 500, while PPA is Industrials Equities. RSP tracks S&P 500 Equal Weight Index, while PPA tracks SPADE Defense Index. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for RSP and 0.61% for PPA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RSP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.40), 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.