RSPU vs. UTES

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RSPU (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF) and UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. RSPU is passively managed, while UTES is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, RSPU returned 9.73%/yr vs 12.73%/yr for UTES. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RSPU charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for UTES.

Performance

RSPU vs. UTES - 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 Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSPU achieves a 8.91% return, which is significantly higher than UTES's 5.02% return. Over the past 10 years, RSPU has underperformed UTES with an annualized return of 9.73%, while UTES has yielded a comparatively higher 12.73% annualized return.

RSPU

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: 0.63%
• YTD: 8.91%
• 6M: 9.36%
• 1Y: 16.62%
• 3Y*: 16.87%
• 5Y*: 12.17%
• 10Y*: 9.73%

UTES

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 1.25%
• YTD: 5.02%
• 6M: 4.73%
• 1Y: 11.48%
• 3Y*: 24.53%
• 5Y*: 17.28%
• 10Y*: 12.73%

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

RSPU vs. UTES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RSPU Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF	8.91%	16.82%	23.57%	-3.45%	4.37%	17.13%	-2.70%	22.94%	6.89%	9.43%
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	5.02%	25.71%	45.35%	-2.46%	0.80%	20.74%	-0.30%	25.48%	5.14%	14.21%

Correlation

The correlation between RSPU and UTES is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015	0.82

The correlation between RSPU and UTES shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.86 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RSPU vs. UTES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSPU	UTES
Utilities	99.6%	100.0%
Financial Services	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

RSPU vs. UTES — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSPU

RSPU Risk / Return Rank: 34
RSPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
RSPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
RSPU Omega Ratio Rank: 32
RSPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
RSPU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

UTES

UTES Risk / Return Rank: 17
UTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
UTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
UTES Omega Ratio Rank: 16
UTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
UTES Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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. UTES - 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 Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES). 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	UTES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	0.54	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	0.86	+0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.11	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	0.83	+1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.36	1.81	+2.55

RSPU vs. UTES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSPU Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is higher than the UTES Sharpe Ratio of 0.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSPU and UTES, 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. UTES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSPU drawdown since its inception was -48.08%, which is greater than UTES's maximum drawdown of -35.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSPU and UTES.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSPU	UTES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.08%	-35.39%	-12.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.46%	-13.88%	+5.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.27%	-17.62%	+1.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.86%	-20.40%	-1.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.85%	-35.39%	-1.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.54%	-4.78%	+1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.84%	-5.53%	-2.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	6.36%	-2.54%

Volatility

RSPU vs. UTES - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RSPU) is 4.98%, while Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) has a volatility of 6.66%. This indicates that RSPU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UTES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSPU	UTES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.98%	6.66%	-1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.20%	16.75%	-5.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.13%	21.48%	-7.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	20.64%	-3.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.12%	20.21%	-1.09%

RSPU vs. UTES - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSPU has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than UTES's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSPU vs. UTES - Dividend Comparison

RSPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, more than UTES's 1.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RSPU Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF	2.52%	2.54%	2.39%	2.92%	2.35%	2.41%	2.94%	2.54%	3.11%	3.08%	2.98%	4.14%
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	1.44%	1.42%	1.51%	2.44%	2.13%	1.94%	2.09%	1.84%	2.09%	3.44%	3.53%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSPU and UTES in my portfolio?

RSPU and UTES have a correlation of 0.71, 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 UTES?

UTES has higher volatility (6.66%) compared to RSPU (4.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSPU dropped -48.08% vs UTES's -35.39%.

Which ETF is better, RSPU or UTES?

On 10-year performance, UTES leads with 12.73% vs 9.73% for RSPU. On fees, RSPU is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, RSPU has been the lower-risk option at 4.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSPU or UTES?

Over the 10-year period, UTES has performed better with a 12.73% return vs 9.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSPU or UTES?

RSPU is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for UTES.

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

RSPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.52%, compared with 1.44% for UTES.

What is the main difference between RSPU and UTES?

They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for RSPU and 0.49% for UTES.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RSPU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs 0.54), 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.