VUS vs. IUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VUS (Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF) and IUS (Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. VUS is actively managed, while IUS is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VUS charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IUS.

Performance

VUS vs. IUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) and Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUS achieves a 19.93% return, which is significantly higher than IUS's 15.71% return.

VUS

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 4.84%
• YTD: 19.93%
• 6M: 20.90%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IUS

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 4.89%
• YTD: 15.71%
• 6M: 15.69%
• 1Y: 33.27%
• 3Y*: 20.93%
• 5Y*: 13.61%
• 10Y*: —

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

VUS vs. IUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	19.93%	0.81%
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	15.71%	-0.01%

Correlation

The correlation between VUS and IUS is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.82

VUS vs. IUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUS	IUS
Technology	34.7%	22.4%
Industrials	11.5%	9.7%
Real Estate	10.4%	0.5%
Financial Services	9.5%	6.8%
Healthcare	8.3%	12.8%
Energy	6.0%	10.9%
Communication Services	5.3%	14.7%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	10.7%
Utilities	3.3%	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	7.4%
Basic Materials	2.7%	3.3%

Return for Risk

VUS vs. IUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

IUS

IUS Risk / Return Rank: 91
IUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
IUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
IUS Omega Ratio Rank: 90
IUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
IUS Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

VUS vs. IUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) and Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VUS	IUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.91	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.23	0.85	+2.38

Drawdowns

VUS vs. IUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUS drawdown since its inception was -9.45%, smaller than the maximum IUS drawdown of -34.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUS and IUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUS	IUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.45%	-34.67%	+25.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-6.15%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.61%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-0.07%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.46%	-3.86%	+2.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.43%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VUS	IUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.50%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.41%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.63%	10.26%	+4.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.63%	15.00%	-0.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.63%	18.04%	-3.41%

VUS vs. IUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUS has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IUS's 0.19% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VUS vs. IUS - Dividend Comparison

VUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.73%, less than IUS's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	1.28%	1.48%	1.52%	1.72%	1.78%	1.46%	1.74%	1.77%	0.73%
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUS and IUS in my portfolio?

VUS and IUS have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VUS or IUS?

On fees, IUS is cheaper at 0.19% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUS or IUS?

IUS is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for VUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VUS or IUS?

IUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.73% for VUS.

What is the main difference between VUS and IUS?

They also come from different issuers: Virtus and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for VUS and 0.19% for IUS.