RSP vs XLV
Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF vs State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, RSP or XLV?
Each has led over a different period.
XLV has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XLV over 1Y.
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 | XLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.08%Best |
| AUM | $99.6B | $44.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.46% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 511 | 63 |
| YTD Return | +12.32%Best | +7.24% |
| 1Y Return | +14.77% | +20.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.06%Best | +9.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.56%Best | +6.27% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.9% | -40.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,078Best | $13,554 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 24, 2003 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 30, 2003 to Sep 11, 2026 (23.4 years).
RSP vs XLV 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 XLV Performance
Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year RSP returned +14.77% while XLV returned +20.42%. Year to date, RSP is up 12.32% versus a gain of 7.24% for XLV.
Over three years, RSP compounded at +15.06% per year against +9.41% for XLV; over five years the annualized figures are +8.56% and +6.27% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, RSP has the edge at +9.95% annualized vs +8.37%.
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 13.6% for XLV. 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 -40.6% for XLV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RSP charges 0.20% per year while XLV 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 1.49% for XLV.
Holdings Overlap
At least 71.9% of XLV's money is in holdings RSP also owns.
Stated as a floor: for RSP, our book for it covers 91.6% 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 XLV is already inside RSP. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
49 positions in common, counted across the 463 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 61 in XLV, against full books of 511 and 63.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 463 and 61 positions we hold weights for.
RSP holds 406 positions XLV does not, 80.0% of the fund.
Largest: ZBRA 0.32%, PYPL 0.27%, EXPE 0.27%, GPN 0.27%, PANW 0.26%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RSP | Weight in XLV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.18% | 15.68% | 15.50% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.20% | 7.26% | 7.06% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 0.19% | 6.18% | 5.99% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.22% | 3.71% | 3.49% |
| TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc | 0.22% | 3.69% | 3.47% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.22% | 3.14% | 2.92% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 0.21% | 2.76% | 2.55% |
| PFEPfizer, Inc. | 0.19% | 2.55% | 2.36% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 0.22% | 2.21% | 1.99% |
| ISRGIntuitive Surgical Inc | 0.17% | 2.24% | 2.07% |
71.9% of XLV 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 XLV?
RSP has an expense ratio of 0.20% while XLV charges 0.08%. XLV is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RSP or XLV?
Over the past year RSP returned +14.77% vs +20.42% for XLV, so XLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), RSP annualized +9.95% vs +8.37% for XLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RSP or XLV?
RSP has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 13.6% for XLV. Worst drawdown: RSP -60.9% vs XLV -40.6%.
Should I hold both RSP and XLV?
RSP and XLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 XLV?
At least 71.9% of XLV's money is in holdings RSP also owns. Our book for RSP is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 49 positions in common, counted across the 463 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 61 in XLV.
Which pays a higher dividend, RSP or XLV?
RSP yields 1.46% while XLV yields 1.49%, so XLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLV better than RSP?
XLV has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XLV over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.