RSP vs. VTI

Last updated Jul 28, 2026

RSP (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RSP is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RSP returned 11.80%/yr vs 14.44%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RSP charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

RSP vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) 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, RSP achieves a 13.25% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 9.58% return. Over the past 10 years, RSP has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 11.80%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.44% annualized return.

RSP

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 2.32%
• 6M: 8.88%
• YTD: 13.25%
• 1Y: 16.52%
• 3Y*: 13.54%
• 5Y*: 9.00%
• 10Y*: 11.80%
• ALL TIME*: 11.31%

VTI

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.82%
• 6M: 7.41%
• YTD: 9.58%
• 1Y: 17.77%
• 3Y*: 18.61%
• 5Y*: 11.52%
• 10Y*: 14.44%
• ALL TIME*: 9.55%

*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)
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF	$1.58B	$1.77B	$2.03B
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.06B	$1.18B	$1.23B

RSP vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF	13.25%	11.21%	12.79%	13.70%	-11.62%	29.41%	12.66%	28.91%	-7.84%	18.52%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	9.58%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between RSP and VTI is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2003	0.94

Over the past year, the correlation between RSP and VTI has dropped to 0.74 - well below their long-term average of 0.94, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RSP vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSP	VTI
Technology	17.3%	36.1%
Financial Services	15.0%	11.8%
Industrials	14.5%	10.2%
Healthcare	11.7%	9.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	4.3%
Utilities	6.2%	2.2%
Real Estate	6.0%	2.3%
Basic Materials	4.1%	1.9%
Energy	4.1%	3.2%
Communication Services	3.4%	9.1%

Return for Risk

RSP vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSP

RSP Risk / Return Rank: 61
RSP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
RSP Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
RSP Omega Ratio Rank: 57
RSP Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
RSP Martin Ratio Rank: 66

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 60
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	RSP	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.38	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	1.95	+0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.25	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.11	2.00	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.08	8.67	-0.59

RSP vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSP Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSP 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

RSP vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSP drawdown since its inception was -59.92%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSP and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSP	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.92%	-55.45%	-4.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-8.92%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.81%	-19.30%	+1.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.38%	-25.36%	+3.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.04%	-35.00%	-4.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.17%	+2.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.61%	-7.99%	+1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	2.06%	+0.01%

Volatility

RSP vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 2.87% and 3.01%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSP	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.87%	3.01%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.47%	10.00%	-1.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.73%	12.93%	-1.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.16%	17.49%	-1.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.28%	18.30%	-0.02%

RSP vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSP has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

RSP vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

RSP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, more than VTI's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.07%	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 RSP and VTI in my portfolio?

RSP and VTI have a correlation of 0.74, 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 VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (3.01%) compared to RSP (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSP dropped -59.92% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, RSP or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.44% vs 11.80% for RSP. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, RSP has been the lower-risk option at 2.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSP or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 14.44% return vs 11.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSP or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for RSP.

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

RSP has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 1.07% for VTI.

What is the main difference between RSP and VTI?

RSP is categorized as S&P 500, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. RSP tracks S&P 500 Equal Weight Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for RSP and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RSP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 1.38), 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.