FT Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RDVI returned +26.68% while VOO returned +23.71%. Year to date, RDVI is up 15.08% versus a gain of 13.80% for VOO.

Over three years, RDVI compounded at +18.16% per year against +21.50% for VOO. Across the full 4-year window we track, RDVI has the edge at +20.51% annualized vs +13.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

RDVI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.1% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -18.4% for RDVI and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

RDVI charges 0.75% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RDVI currently yields 8.05% against 1.09% for VOO.