RTH vs VOO
VanEck Retail ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, RTH or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. RTH led over the full window, VOO over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 70.0%.
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 | RTH | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $253M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.92% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 26 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +1.31% | +13.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.10% | +17.37%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.03% | +22.66%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.02% | +13.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.0%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,707 | $18,539Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 70.0% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 20, 2011 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 24, 2026 (16 years).
RTH vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
RTH vs VOO Performance
VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RTH returned +2.10% while VOO returned +17.37%. Year to date, RTH is up 1.31% versus a gain of 13.21% for VOO.
Over three years, RTH compounded at +15.03% per year against +22.66% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +8.02% and +13.14% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, RTH has the edge at +15.41% annualized vs +13.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RTH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% 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 -25.0% for RTH and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RTH charges 0.35% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RTH currently yields 0.92% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
97.7% of RTH's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 7.9% of VOO's money is in holdings RTH also owns.
Most of RTH is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
24 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in RTH and 494 in VOO, against full books of 26 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 25 and 494 positions we hold weights for.
VOO holds 463 positions RTH does not, 91.2% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.55%, AAPL 7.05%, MSFT 5.36%, GOOGL 3.24%, AVGO 2.86%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RTH | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 21.16% | 4.13% | 17.03% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 9.94% | 0.76% | 9.18% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 8.06% | 0.66% | 7.40% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 4.95% | 0.51% | 4.44% |
| MCKMckesson Corp. | 5.10% | 0.16% | 4.94% |
| CVSCvs Corp | 4.43% | 0.21% | 4.22% |
| ORLYO'Eilly Automotive, Inc. | 4.19% | 0.11% | 4.08% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 4.11% | 0.18% | 3.93% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 4.12% | 0.13% | 3.99% |
| TJXTjx Cos Inc | 3.93% | 0.27% | 3.66% |
97.7% of RTH is already inside VOO.
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, RTH or VOO?
RTH has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RTH or VOO?
Over the past year RTH returned +2.10% vs +17.37% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), RTH annualized +15.41% vs +13.42% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RTH or VOO?
RTH has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: RTH -25.0% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both RTH and VOO?
RTH and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 RTH and VOO?
97.7% of RTH's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 7.9% of VOO's is in holdings RTH also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in RTH and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, RTH or VOO?
RTH yields 0.92% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than RTH?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. RTH led over the full window, VOO over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 70.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.