RSP vs XLF
Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF vs State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, RSP or XLF?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
XLF has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over 1Y and the full window, XLF over 3Y and 5Y. RSP is less concentrated, with 3.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.8%.
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 | XLF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.08%Best |
| AUM | $99.6B | $54.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.46% | 1.40% |
| Holdings | 511 | 80 |
| YTD Return | +10.46%Best | +0.15% |
| 1Y Return | +13.34%Best | +2.69% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.49% | +19.09%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.23% | +9.27%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5%Best | 21.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -60.9%Best | -83.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,850 | $15,578Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 3.2%Best | 56.8% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 24, 2003 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 30, 2003 to Sep 23, 2026 (23.4 years).
RSP vs XLF 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 23.4 years both funds cover.
RSP vs XLF Performance
Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year RSP returned +13.34% while XLF returned +2.69%. Year to date, RSP is up 10.46% versus a gain of 0.15% for XLF.
Over three years, RSP compounded at +15.49% per year against +19.09% for XLF; over five years the annualized figures are +8.23% and +9.27% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, RSP has the edge at +9.85% annualized vs +4.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 16.5% 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 -83.8% for XLF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RSP charges 0.20% per year while XLF charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $8 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RSP currently yields 1.46% against 1.40% for XLF.
Holdings Overlap
15.3% of RSP's money is in holdings XLF also owns. 93.6% of XLF's money is in holdings RSP also owns.
Most of XLF is already inside RSP. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
73 positions in common, counted across the 502 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 77 in XLF, against full books of 511 and 80.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 4 positions for XLF that do not appear in our book for RSP (6.4% of the fund), and 424 for RSP that do not appear in XLF (83.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RSP | Weight in XLF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.22% | 11.78% | 11.56% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 0.20% | 11.41% | 11.21% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 0.22% | 7.66% | 7.44% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 0.23% | 5.81% | 5.58% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 0.19% | 3.66% | 3.47% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 0.20% | 3.30% | 3.10% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 0.19% | 3.13% | 2.94% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.19% | 2.80% | 2.61% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 0.23% | 2.19% | 1.96% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 0.20% | 2.14% | 1.94% |
93.6% of XLF 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RSP or XLF?
RSP has an expense ratio of 0.20% while XLF charges 0.08%. XLF is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RSP or XLF?
Over the past year RSP returned +13.34% vs +2.69% for XLF, so RSP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), RSP annualized +9.85% vs +4.11% for XLF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RSP or XLF?
XLF has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 16.5% for RSP. Worst drawdown: RSP -60.9% vs XLF -83.8%.
Should I hold both RSP and XLF?
RSP and XLF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between RSP and XLF?
93.6% of XLF's money is in holdings RSP also owns. 93.6% of XLF's is in holdings RSP also owns. They hold 73 positions in common, counted across the 502 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 77 in XLF.
Which pays a higher dividend, RSP or XLF?
RSP yields 1.46% while XLF yields 1.40%, so RSP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLF better than RSP?
XLF has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over 1Y and the full window, XLF over 3Y and 5Y. RSP is less concentrated, with 3.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.