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VAW vs. RSPM
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

VAW vs. RSPM

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) and Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF (RSPM).

VAW and RSPM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VAW is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. RSPM is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Equal Weight Materials Index. It was launched on Nov 1, 2006. Both VAW and RSPM are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VAW vs. RSPM - Performance Comparison

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

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VAW vs. RSPM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VAW
Vanguard Materials ETF		10.45%12.30%0.48%13.67%-11.80%27.43%19.44%23.53%-17.49%23.76%
RSPM
Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF		13.67%6.90%-1.30%8.32%-9.95%31.21%22.77%25.11%-14.75%25.87%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VAW achieves a 10.45% return, which is significantly lower than RSPM's 13.67% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VAW having a 10.70% annualized return and RSPM not far ahead at 11.14%.

VAW

1D
1.35%
1M
-5.90%
YTD
10.45%
6M
13.21%
1Y
22.50%
3Y*
10.54%
5Y*
7.38%
10Y*
10.70%

RSPM

1D
1.80%
1M
-4.12%
YTD
13.67%
6M
18.88%
1Y
23.99%
3Y*
7.99%
5Y*
6.34%
10Y*
11.14%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Materials ETF

Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF

Often compared with VAW:
VAW vs. XLBVAW vs. XMEVAW vs. PAVEVAW vs. DBCVAW vs. IYMVAW vs. FMATVAW vs. VDE
Often compared with RSPM:
RSPM vs. VTVRSPM vs. VOORSPM vs. RSPRRSPM vs. ^GSPCRSPM vs. QQQRSPM vs. XLBRSPM vs. PHO

VAW vs. RSPM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAW has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than RSPM's 0.40% expense ratio.

RSPM
Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF
VAW
Vanguard Materials ETF

Return for Risk

VAW vs. RSPM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VAW
VAW Risk / Return Rank: 5757
Overall Rank
VAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
VAW Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
VAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
VAW Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
RSPM
RSPM Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
RSPM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
RSPM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
RSPM Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
RSPM Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
RSPM Martin Ratio Rank: 5555
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VAW vs. RSPM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

VAWRSPMDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.06

1.06

-0.01

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.59

1.62

-0.04

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.21

1.21

0.00

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.60

1.61

-0.01

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

5.48

5.31

+0.17

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VAW vs. RSPM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAW Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is comparable to the RSPM Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAW and RSPM, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VAWRSPMDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.06

1.06

-0.01

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.38

0.32

+0.06

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.51

0.51

0.00

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.39

0.39

0.00

Correlation

The correlation between VAW and RSPM is 0.90, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VAW vs. RSPM - Dividend Comparison

VAW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%, less than RSPM's 1.52% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VAW
Vanguard Materials ETF		1.40%1.55%1.70%1.72%1.98%1.44%1.67%1.94%2.03%1.63%1.67%2.30%
RSPM
Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF		1.52%2.06%2.04%2.05%2.19%1.43%1.57%1.81%1.83%1.50%1.28%1.57%

Drawdowns

VAW vs. RSPM - Drawdown Comparison

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

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Drawdown Indicators

VAWRSPMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-62.17%

-61.18%

-0.99%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.33%

-15.67%

+1.34%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.50%

-27.19%

+1.69%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.13%

-39.84%

-1.29%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.10%

-5.87%

-0.23%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.67%

-8.83%

-0.84%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.17%

4.74%

-0.57%

Volatility

VAW vs. RSPM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) and Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight Materials ETF (RSPM) have volatilities of 6.71% and 6.48%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VAWRSPMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.71%

6.48%

+0.23%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.38%

13.58%

-0.20%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

21.41%

22.71%

-1.30%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.57%

20.12%

-0.55%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.14%

21.91%

-0.77%