RSP vs. XLI

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

RSP (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF) and XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - RSP is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index, while XLI is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Industrial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RSP returned 12.15%/yr vs 14.15%/yr for XLI. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RSP charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLI.

Performance

RSP vs. XLI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSP achieves a 10.96% return, which is significantly lower than XLI's 13.90% return. Over the past 10 years, RSP has underperformed XLI with an annualized return of 12.15%, while XLI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.15% annualized return.

RSP

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 3.92%
• YTD: 10.96%
• 6M: 10.34%
• 1Y: 21.34%
• 3Y*: 14.66%
• 5Y*: 8.59%
• 10Y*: 12.15%

XLI

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 13.90%
• 6M: 13.10%
• 1Y: 25.17%
• 3Y*: 20.87%
• 5Y*: 12.93%
• 10Y*: 14.15%

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

RSP vs. XLI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF	10.96%	11.21%	12.79%	13.70%	-11.62%	29.41%	12.66%	28.91%	-7.84%	18.52%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	13.90%	19.35%	17.31%	18.13%	-5.57%	21.08%	10.91%	29.08%	-13.25%	23.98%

Correlation

The correlation between RSP and XLI is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2003	0.89

The correlation between RSP and XLI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

RSP vs. XLI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSP	XLI
Technology	20.9%	3.8%
Industrials	14.2%	90.9%
Financial Services	13.9%	-
Healthcare	11.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	-
Real Estate	6.1%	-
Utilities	5.7%	4.8%
Energy	4.0%	-
Basic Materials	3.9%	-
Communication Services	3.9%	-

Return for Risk

RSP vs. XLI — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSP

RSP Risk / Return Rank: 58
RSP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
RSP Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
RSP Omega Ratio Rank: 54
RSP Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
RSP Martin Ratio Rank: 62

XLI

XLI Risk / Return Rank: 48
XLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
XLI Omega Ratio Rank: 46
XLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
XLI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. XLI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). 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	XLI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.50	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	2.17	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.26	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	1.98	+0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.63	7.82	+1.82

RSP vs. XLI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSP Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the XLI Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSP and XLI, 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. XLI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSP drawdown since its inception was -59.92%, roughly equal to the maximum XLI drawdown of -62.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSP and XLI.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSP	XLI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.92%	-62.26%	+2.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-12.21%	+4.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.81%	-18.49%	+0.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.38%	-21.64%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.04%	-42.33%	+3.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.24%	+1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.64%	-9.20%	+2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	3.09%	-1.02%

Volatility

RSP vs. XLI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) is 3.57%, while Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) has a volatility of 6.22%. This indicates that RSP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSP	XLI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	6.22%	-2.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.59%	13.59%	-5.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.83%	16.17%	-4.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.22%	17.55%	-1.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.36%	20.04%	-1.68%

RSP vs. XLI - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSP has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than XLI's 0.08% 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. XLI - Dividend Comparison

RSP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, more than XLI's 1.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF	1.47%	1.64%	1.52%	1.64%	1.82%	1.28%	1.64%	1.69%	2.02%	1.52%	1.20%	1.70%
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.16%	1.29%	1.44%	1.63%	1.63%	1.25%	1.55%	1.94%	2.15%	1.77%	2.07%	2.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSP and XLI in my portfolio?

RSP and XLI have a correlation of 0.81, 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 XLI?

XLI has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to RSP (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSP dropped -59.92% vs XLI's -62.26%.

Which ETF is better, RSP or XLI?

On 10-year performance, XLI leads with 14.15% vs 12.15% for RSP. On fees, XLI is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, RSP has been the lower-risk option at 3.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSP or XLI?

Over the 10-year period, XLI has performed better with a 14.15% return vs 12.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSP or XLI?

XLI is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for RSP.

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

RSP has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 1.16% for XLI.

What is the main difference between RSP and XLI?

RSP is categorized as S&P 500, while XLI is Industrials Equities. RSP tracks S&P 500 Equal Weight Index, while XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for RSP and 0.08% for XLI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RSP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.50), 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.