RSP vs VUG
Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
Which is better, RSP or VUG?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VUG has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over 1Y, VUG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $98.6B | $232.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.53% | 0.38% |
| Holdings | 1,533 | 150 |
| YTD Return | +11.29%Best | +11.26% |
| 1Y Return | +14.33%Best | +13.79% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.05% | +24.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.16% | +13.11%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 16.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.9% | -51.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,802 | $18,514Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 24, 2003 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Oct 14, 2026 (22.7 years).
RSP vs VUG 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 22.7 years both funds cover.
RSP vs VUG Performance
Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RSP returned +14.33% while VUG returned +13.79%. Year to date, RSP is up 11.29% versus a gain of 11.26% for VUG.
Over three years, RSP compounded at +16.05% per year against +24.86% for VUG; over five years the annualized figures are +8.16% and +13.11% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VUG has the edge at +11.24% annualized vs +8.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RSP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 16.5% for VUG. 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 -51.4% for VUG. 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 VUG 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 0.38% for VUG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 83.5% of VUG'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 VUG is already inside RSP. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
108 positions in common, counted across the 472 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 146 in VUG, against full books of 1,533 and 150.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RSP | Weight in VUG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.21% | 13.63% | 13.42% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.22% | 12.49% | 12.27% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.21% | 10.13% | 9.92% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 0.12% | 5.34% | 5.22% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.09% | 4.21% | 4.12% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.23% | 3.39% | 3.16% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 0.21% | 2.79% | 2.58% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.21% | 2.65% | 2.44% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.25% | 2.07% | 1.82% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 0.20% | 1.27% | 1.07% |
83.5% of VUG 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 VUG?
RSP has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VUG charges 0.03%. VUG is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RSP or VUG?
Over the past year RSP returned +14.33% vs +13.79% for VUG, so RSP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), RSP annualized +8.74% vs +11.24% for VUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RSP or VUG?
RSP has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 16.5% for VUG. Worst drawdown: RSP -60.9% vs VUG -51.4%.
Should I hold both RSP and VUG?
RSP and VUG 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 VUG?
At least 83.5% of VUG's money is in holdings RSP also owns. Our book for RSP is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 108 positions in common, counted across the 472 positions we hold weights for in RSP and 146 in VUG.
Which pays a higher dividend, RSP or VUG?
RSP yields 1.53% while VUG yields 0.38%, so RSP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUG better than RSP?
VUG has a lower expense ratio. RSP led over 1Y, VUG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.