RSPU vs. FXU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

RSPU (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF) and FXU (First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund) are both Utilities Equities funds - RSPU tracks the S&P 500 Equal Weighted / Utilities Plus while FXU tracks the StrataQuant Utilities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RSPU returned 9.42%/yr vs 9.22%/yr for FXU. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RSPU charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for FXU.

Performance

RSPU vs. FXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RSPU) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSPU achieves a 5.10% return, which is significantly lower than FXU's 6.21% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with RSPU having a 9.42% annualized return and FXU not far behind at 9.22%.

RSPU

• 1D: 1.69%
• 1M: -4.51%
• YTD: 5.10%
• 6M: 3.75%
• 1Y: 11.44%
• 3Y*: 15.80%
• 5Y*: 10.73%
• 10Y*: 9.42%

FXU

• 1D: 1.45%
• 1M: -3.84%
• YTD: 6.21%
• 6M: 4.77%
• 1Y: 13.68%
• 3Y*: 17.54%
• 5Y*: 11.66%
• 10Y*: 9.22%

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

RSPU vs. FXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RSPU Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF	5.10%	16.82%	23.57%	-3.45%	4.37%	17.13%	-2.70%	22.94%	6.89%	9.43%
FXU First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	6.21%	21.86%	22.50%	-2.12%	3.68%	17.67%	1.53%	11.67%	5.43%	0.98%

Correlation

The correlation between RSPU and FXU is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007	0.87

The correlation between RSPU and FXU shifts across timeframes, from 0.87 (all time) to 0.98 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RSPU vs. FXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSPU	FXU
Utilities	100.0%	92.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	3.7%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	4.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

RSPU vs. FXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSPU

RSPU Risk / Return Rank: 24
RSPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
RSPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
RSPU Omega Ratio Rank: 22
RSPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
RSPU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

FXU

FXU Risk / Return Rank: 29
FXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
FXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
FXU Omega Ratio Rank: 27
FXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
FXU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

RSPU vs. FXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RSPU) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). 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.

	RSPU	FXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.82	1.04	-0.22
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	1.48	-0.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.18	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	1.62	-0.23
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.26	4.59	-1.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RSPU vs. FXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSPU Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is comparable to the FXU Sharpe Ratio of 1.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSPU and FXU, 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

	RSPU	FXU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82	1.04	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.71	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.50	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.42	+0.05

Drawdowns

RSPU vs. FXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSPU drawdown since its inception was -48.08%, roughly equal to the maximum FXU drawdown of -49.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSPU and FXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSPU	FXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.08%	-49.00%	+0.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.46%	-8.63%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.27%	-17.46%	+1.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.86%	-21.87%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.85%	-34.81%	-2.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.91%	-7.31%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.85%	-7.64%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.60%	3.04%	+0.56%

Volatility

RSPU vs. FXU - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RSPU) has a higher volatility of 5.21% compared to First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) at 4.69%. This indicates that RSPU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSPU	FXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.21%	4.69%	+0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.17%	10.36%	+0.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.98%	13.17%	+0.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.92%	16.59%	+0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.09%	18.33%	+0.76%

RSPU vs. FXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSPU has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than FXU's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSPU vs. FXU - Dividend Comparison

RSPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, more than FXU's 2.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXU First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	2.20%	2.29%	2.41%	2.52%	2.03%	2.00%	3.97%	2.34%	2.40%	3.81%	2.62%	3.90%
RSPU Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF	2.53%	2.54%	2.39%	2.92%	2.35%	2.41%	2.94%	2.54%	3.11%	3.08%	2.98%	4.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSPU and FXU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, RSPU and FXU 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, RSPU or FXU?

RSPU has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to FXU (4.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSPU dropped -48.08% vs FXU's -49.00%.

Which ETF is better, RSPU or FXU?

On 10-year performance, RSPU leads with 9.42% vs 9.22% for FXU. On fees, RSPU is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FXU has been the lower-risk option at 4.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSPU or FXU?

Over the 10-year period, RSPU has performed better with a 9.42% return vs 9.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSPU or FXU?

RSPU is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FXU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSPU or FXU?

RSPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 2.20% for FXU.

What is the main difference between RSPU and FXU?

RSPU tracks S&P 500 Equal Weighted / Utilities Plus, while FXU tracks StrataQuant Utilities Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for RSPU and 0.62% for FXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.04 vs 0.82), 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.