RSP vs VWO
Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
Which is better, RSP or VWO?
Each has led over a different period.
VWO has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over 5Y and the full window, VWO over 1Y and 3Y.
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
| Metric | RSP | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $99.6B | $122.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.46% | 2.29% |
| Holdings | 511 | 6,334 |
| YTD Return | +12.32%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +14.77% | +15.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.06% | +17.69%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.56%Best | +6.01% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9%Best | 20.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -60.9%Best | -68.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,078Best | $13,389 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 24, 2003 | Mar 4, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 2005 to Sep 11, 2026 (21.5 years).
RSP vs VWO 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 21.5 years both funds cover.
RSP vs VWO Performance
Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RSP returned +14.77% while VWO returned +15.58%. Year to date, RSP is up 12.32% versus a gain of 10.00% for VWO.
Over three years, RSP compounded at +15.06% per year against +17.69% for VWO; over five years the annualized figures are +8.56% and +6.01% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, RSP has the edge at +8.72% annualized vs +4.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VWO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 16.9% for RSP. 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 -68.3% for VWO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RSP charges 0.20% per year while VWO charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $6 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RSP currently yields 1.46% against 2.29% for VWO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 463 holdings in RSP and 4,694 in VWO, totalling 91.6% and 88.0% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 463 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 4,694 in VWO, against full books of 511 and 6,334.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RSP | Weight in VWO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.15% | 0.07% | 0.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RSP and VWO you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RSP or VWO?
RSP has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VWO charges 0.06%. VWO is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RSP or VWO?
Over the past year RSP returned +14.77% vs +15.58% for VWO, so VWO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), RSP annualized +8.72% vs +4.96% for VWO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RSP or VWO?
VWO has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 16.9% for RSP. Worst drawdown: RSP -60.9% vs VWO -68.3%.
Should I hold both RSP and VWO?
RSP and VWO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, RSP or VWO?
RSP yields 1.46% while VWO yields 2.29%, so VWO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VWO better than RSP?
VWO has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over 5Y and the full window, VWO over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.