RSPM vs. VAW

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

RSPM (Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF) and VAW (Vanguard Materials ETF) are both Materials funds - RSPM tracks the S&P 500 Equal Weight Materials Index while VAW tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RSPM returned 10.47%/yr vs 9.56%/yr for VAW. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RSPM charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VAW.

Performance

RSPM vs. VAW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSPM achieves a 15.29% return, which is significantly higher than VAW's 8.16% return. Over the past 10 years, RSPM has outperformed VAW with an annualized return of 10.47%, while VAW has yielded a comparatively lower 9.56% annualized return.

RSPM

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: -1.05%
• 6M: 5.52%
• YTD: 15.29%
• 1Y: 24.72%
• 3Y*: 6.92%
• 5Y*: 5.37%
• 10Y*: 10.47%
• ALL TIME*: 9.22%

VAW

• 1D: -2.38%
• 1M: -4.20%
• 6M: -0.26%
• YTD: 8.16%
• 1Y: 17.08%
• 3Y*: 7.54%
• 5Y*: 5.77%
• 10Y*: 9.56%
• ALL TIME*: 9.02%

*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)
RSPM Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF	$1.60M	$1.26M	$779.50K
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	$9.35M	$9.71M	$12.39M

RSPM vs. VAW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RSPM Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF	15.29%	6.90%	-1.30%	8.32%	-9.95%	31.21%	22.77%	25.11%	-14.75%	25.87%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	8.16%	12.30%	0.48%	13.67%	-11.80%	27.43%	19.44%	23.53%	-17.49%	23.76%

Correlation

The correlation between RSPM and VAW is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2006	0.91

The correlation between RSPM and VAW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

RSPM vs. VAW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSPM	VAW
Basic Materials	74.7%	89.3%
Consumer Cyclical	25.3%	9.5%
Industrials	3.5%	0.6%
Financial Services	0.4%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Energy	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	0.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

RSPM vs. VAW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

RSPM

RSPM Risk / Return Rank: 49
RSPM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
RSPM Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
RSPM Omega Ratio Rank: 45
RSPM Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
RSPM Martin Ratio Rank: 47

VAW

VAW Risk / Return Rank: 35
VAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
VAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VAW Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
VAW Martin Ratio Rank: 35

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

RSPM vs. VAW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF (RSPM) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW). 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.

	RSPM	VAW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	0.87	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	1.31	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.16	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.81	1.21	+0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.41	3.47	+1.94

RSPM vs. VAW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSPM Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is higher than the VAW Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSPM and VAW, 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

RSPM vs. VAW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSPM drawdown since its inception was -61.18%, roughly equal to the maximum VAW drawdown of -62.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSPM and VAW.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSPM	VAW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.18%	-62.17%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.32%	-13.42%	+1.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.19%	-23.21%	-3.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.19%	-25.50%	-1.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.84%	-41.13%	+1.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.53%	-8.05%	+3.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.76%	-9.60%	+0.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.12%	4.65%	-0.53%

Volatility

RSPM vs. VAW - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF (RSPM) has a higher volatility of 5.87% compared to Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) at 5.54%. This indicates that RSPM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VAW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSPM	VAW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.87%	5.54%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.48%	15.14%	-0.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.80%	18.68%	+0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	19.75%	+0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.90%	21.22%	+0.68%

RSPM vs. VAW - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSPM has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VAW's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSPM vs. VAW - Dividend Comparison

RSPM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%, more than VAW's 1.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RSPM Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF	1.77%	2.06%	2.04%	2.05%	2.19%	1.43%	1.57%	1.81%	1.83%	1.50%	1.28%	1.57%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	1.42%	1.55%	1.70%	1.72%	1.98%	1.44%	1.67%	1.94%	2.03%	1.63%	1.67%	2.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSPM and VAW in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, RSPM and VAW move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, RSPM or VAW?

RSPM has higher volatility (5.87%) compared to VAW (5.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSPM dropped -61.18% vs VAW's -62.17%.

Which ETF is better, RSPM or VAW?

On 10-year performance, RSPM leads with 10.47% vs 9.56% for VAW. On fees, VAW is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VAW has been the lower-risk option at 5.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSPM or VAW?

Over the 10-year period, RSPM has performed better with a 10.47% return vs 9.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSPM or VAW?

VAW is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for RSPM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSPM or VAW?

RSPM has the higher dividend yield at 1.77%, compared with 1.42% for VAW.

What is the main difference between RSPM and VAW?

RSPM tracks S&P 500 Equal Weight Materials Index, while VAW tracks MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for RSPM and 0.09% for VAW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RSPM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs 0.87), 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.