RSP vs VTI

RSP vs VTI

Which is better, RSP or VTI?

Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over 1Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: split

MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRSPVTI
Expense Ratio0.20%0.03%Best
AUM$98.6B$689.2B
Dividend Yield1.53%1.06%
Holdings1,5333,524
YTD Return+15.43%Best+10.96%
1Y Return+19.22%Best+11.44%
3Y Return (annualized)+17.59%+21.31%Best
5Y Return (annualized)+8.36%+10.68%Best
Volatility (annualized)16.5%14.9%Best
Max Drawdown-60.9%-56.6%Best
$10,000 over 5 years$14,940$16,609Best
Fund FamilyInvesco (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionApr 24, 2003May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 30, 2003 to Nov 2, 2026 (23.5 years).

RSP vs VTI growth

Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 23.5 years both funds cover.

RSP vs VTI Performance

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RSP returned +19.22% while VTI returned +11.44%. Year to date, RSP is up 15.43% versus a gain of 10.96% for VTI.

Over three years, RSP compounded at +17.59% per year against +21.31% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.36% and +10.68% respectively. Across the full 24-year window we track, RSP has the edge at +10.01% annualized vs +9.94%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

RSP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 14.9% for VTI. 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 -60.9% for RSP and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

RSP charges 0.20% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $3 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RSP currently yields 1.53% against 1.06% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

VTI already in RSP78.6%

At least 78.6% of VTI's money is in holdings RSP also owns.

Stated as a floor: for RSP, our book for it covers 93.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.

Most of VTI is already inside RSP. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.

466 positions in common, counted across the 472 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 1,533 and 3,524.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in RSPWeight in VTIDifference
NVDANvidia Corp0.21%6.88%6.67%
AAPLApple, Inc0.22%6.30%6.08%
MSFTMicrosoft Corp0.21%5.11%4.90%
GOOGLAlphabet Inc0.12%2.70%2.58%
GOOGAlphabet Inc. C0.09%2.12%2.03%
METAMeta Platforms Inc0.23%1.70%1.47%
MUMicron Technology, Inc.0.21%1.46%1.25%
TSLATesla Inc0.21%1.40%1.19%
LLYEli Lilly & Co.0.21%1.33%1.12%
JPMJpmorgan Chase0.19%1.29%1.10%

78.6% of VTI is already inside RSP.

You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.

RSPVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, RSP or VTI?

RSP has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, RSP or VTI?

Over the past year RSP returned +19.22% vs +11.44% for VTI, so RSP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (24 years), RSP annualized +10.01% vs +9.94% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, RSP or VTI?

RSP has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 14.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: RSP -60.9% vs VTI -56.6%.

Should I hold both RSP and VTI?

RSP and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.

What is the holdings overlap between RSP and VTI?

At least 78.6% of VTI's money is in holdings RSP also owns. Our book for RSP is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 466 positions in common, counted across the 472 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 3,441 in VTI.

Which pays a higher dividend, RSP or VTI?

RSP yields 1.53% while VTI yields 1.06%, so RSP currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than RSP?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over 1Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.