RSPU vs. SPY

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

RSPU (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RSPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Equal Weighted / Utilities Plus, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RSPU returned 9.27%/yr vs 15.07%/yr for SPY. Their 0.46 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. RSPU charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

RSPU vs. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSPU achieves a 6.90% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.13% return. Over the past 10 years, RSPU has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.27%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.07% annualized return.

RSPU

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: -3.70%
• 6M: 4.75%
• YTD: 6.90%
• 1Y: 7.59%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 10.97%
• 10Y*: 9.27%
• ALL TIME*: 8.99%

SPY

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 0.30%
• 6M: 8.53%
• YTD: 10.13%
• 1Y: 21.49%
• 3Y*: 19.32%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: 15.07%
• ALL TIME*: 10.79%

*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)
RSPU Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF	$2.36M	$2.33M	$3.07M
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	$37.27B	$35.99B	$39.23B

RSPU vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RSPU Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF	6.90%	16.82%	23.57%	-3.45%	4.37%	17.13%	-2.70%	22.94%	6.89%	9.43%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.13%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between RSPU and SPY is 0.06, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2006	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between RSPU and SPY has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RSPU vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSPU	SPY
Utilities	100.0%	2.6%
Financial Services	0.4%	12.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.9%
Communication Services	-	9.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.4%
Healthcare	-	9.4%
Industrials	-	7.6%
Real Estate	-	2.0%
Technology	-	36.9%

Return for Risk

RSPU vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSPU

RSPU Risk / Return Rank: 25
RSPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
RSPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
RSPU Omega Ratio Rank: 22
RSPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
RSPU Martin Ratio Rank: 26

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 67
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

RSPU vs. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	RSPU	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.56	1.52	-0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.85	2.11	-1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.27	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	2.20	-1.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.06	9.40	-7.34

RSPU vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSPU Sharpe Ratio is 0.56, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSPU and SPY, 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

RSPU vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSPU drawdown since its inception was -48.08%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSPU and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSPU	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.08%	-55.19%	+7.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.46%	-8.88%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.77%	-18.76%	+6.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.86%	-24.50%	+2.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.85%	-33.72%	-3.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.32%	-1.40%	-3.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.81%	-9.01%	+1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.93%	2.08%	+1.85%

Volatility

RSPU vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RSPU) has a higher volatility of 4.67% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 3.58%. This indicates that RSPU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSPU	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.67%	3.58%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.59%	10.14%	+1.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	12.89%	+1.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.93%	17.18%	-0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.14%	17.95%	+1.19%

RSPU vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSPU has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSPU vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

RSPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RSPU Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF	2.57%	2.54%	2.39%	2.92%	2.35%	2.41%	2.94%	2.54%	3.11%	3.08%	2.98%	4.14%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSPU and SPY in my portfolio?

RSPU and SPY have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSPU or SPY?

RSPU has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to SPY (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSPU dropped -48.08% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, RSPU or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.07% vs 9.27% for RSPU. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSPU or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.07% return vs 9.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSPU or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for RSPU.

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

RSPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 1.01% for SPY.

What is the main difference between RSPU and SPY?

RSPU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. RSPU tracks S&P 500 Equal Weighted / Utilities Plus, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for RSPU and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 0.56), 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.