RSPU vs. VPU

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

RSPU (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds - RSPU tracks the S&P 500 Equal Weighted / Utilities Plus while VPU tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RSPU returned 9.27%/yr vs 8.75%/yr for VPU. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RSPU charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.

Performance

RSPU vs. VPU - 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 Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). 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 higher than VPU's 4.72% return. Over the past 10 years, RSPU has outperformed VPU with an annualized return of 9.27%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.75% 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%

VPU

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: -3.20%
• 6M: 3.07%
• YTD: 4.72%
• 1Y: 6.03%
• 3Y*: 13.39%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 8.75%
• ALL TIME*: 9.71%

*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
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	$43.24M	$41.48M	$43.21M

RSPU vs. VPU - 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%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	4.72%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	12.44%

Correlation

The correlation between RSPU and VPU is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2006	0.90

The correlation between RSPU and VPU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

RSPU vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSPU	VPU
Utilities	100.0%	98.9%
Financial Services	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

RSPU vs. VPU — 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

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 21
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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. VPU - 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 Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). 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	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.56	0.41	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.85	0.66	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.08	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	0.68	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.06	1.40	+0.66

RSPU vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSPU Sharpe Ratio is 0.56, which is higher than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSPU and VPU, 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. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSPU drawdown since its inception was -48.08%, roughly equal to the maximum VPU drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSPU and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSPU	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.08%	-46.31%	-1.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.46%	-8.90%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.77%	-12.95%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.86%	-25.15%	+3.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.85%	-36.42%	-0.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.32%	-5.88%	+0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.81%	-7.76%	-0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.93%	4.33%	-0.40%

Volatility

RSPU vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RSPU) has a higher volatility of 4.67% compared to Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) at 4.41%. This indicates that RSPU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSPU	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.67%	4.41%	+0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.59%	11.79%	-0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	14.72%	-0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.93%	17.05%	-0.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.14%	19.16%	-0.02%

RSPU vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

RSPU vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

RSPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%, less than VPU's 2.70% 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%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.70%	2.73%	3.02%	3.49%	2.98%	2.70%	3.17%	2.83%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSPU and VPU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, RSPU and VPU 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 VPU?

RSPU has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to VPU (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSPU dropped -48.08% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which ETF is better, RSPU or VPU?

On 10-year performance, RSPU leads with 9.27% vs 8.75% for VPU. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VPU has been the lower-risk option at 4.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSPU or VPU?

Over the 10-year period, RSPU has performed better with a 9.27% return vs 8.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSPU or VPU?

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

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

VPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.70%, compared with 2.57% for RSPU.

What is the main difference between RSPU and VPU?

RSPU tracks S&P 500 Equal Weighted / Utilities Plus, while VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for RSPU and 0.09% for VPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RSPU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.56 vs 0.41), 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.