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Invesco RSP: The Equal-Weight S&P 500 ETF That Outperforms the Market

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Thursday, December 25th 2025 at 15:18 GMT by The Motley Fool

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Why the Invesco S&P 500 Equal‑Weight ETF (RSP) Is the Overlooked Winner You Should Buy Right Now

If you’re hunting for a high‑quality, low‑cost U.S. equity ETF that offers the same upside as the S&P 500 but with better risk‑adjusted performance, the Motley Fool’s latest pick is the Invesco S&P 500 Equal‑Weight ETF (RSP). In a detailed look at its methodology, track record, and why it’s positioned to outperform the broader market, the article argues that RSP is an “overlooked winner” that deserves a spot in almost every investor’s portfolio.

1. What Is RSP and How Does It Work?

RSP tracks the Invesco S&P 500 Equal‑Weight Index—an index that gives each of the 500 S&P 500 components the same weight (0.2 %). By contrast, a price‑weighted index like the S&P 500 itself gives the largest companies (e.g., Apple, Microsoft, Amazon) a disproportionate influence. RSP therefore: Diversifies more evenly across sectors and market caps. Reduces concentration risk that can drag down returns when a few mega‑cap names underperform. * Adds exposure to the mid‑cap and small‑cap “tails” of the U.S. equity universe.

Because every component starts equal, RSP automatically rebalances quarterly to maintain equal weightings, resulting in higher turnover than a pure‑cap‑weighted ETF but a more dynamic, market‑responsive approach.

2. The Historical Performance Edge

The article points out that RSP’s historical record shows higher risk‑adjusted returns over multiple time horizons. While its total return is close to the S&P 500 over the long term, the key advantage comes from:

The numbers above are illustrative, drawn from the article’s back‑testing table.

In periods of market stress—such as the 2020 pandemic shock—RSP’s equal‑weight structure allowed it to capture upside from the many smaller companies that rebounded quickly, while mitigating the drag from the largest firms that were more sluggish to recover.

3. Expense Ratio and Liquidity

RSP carries an expense ratio of 0.20 %—slightly higher than the benchmark SPY’s 0.09 % but still modest compared to actively managed funds. Because it’s an actively managed equal‑weight product, the expense is a trade‑off for the improved risk profile. The ETF enjoys good liquidity, with an average daily volume of roughly 5–6 million shares and a bid‑ask spread that is negligible for most retail investors.

4. How RSP Fits Into a Portfolio

The article recommends several ways to incorporate RSP:

1. Core Equity Exposure – Allocate 30–40 % of your equity allocation to RSP for its diversified, equal‑weight exposure.
2. Tactical Upside – Pair RSP with a small‑cap or mid‑cap ETF (e.g., IJR, VBR) to add growth potential during bullish cycles.
3. Risk Management – Use RSP’s lower beta relative to the S&P 500 to temper portfolio volatility.

The key is that RSP’s weightings keep all 500 names in the portfolio, giving you a full market exposure without the concentration bias of cap‑weighted funds.

5. Comparison With Other U.S. Equity ETFs

While SPY and VOO offer lower fees, the article highlights that RSP’s equal‑weight scheme provides a better “fair‑share” of the market and historically yields higher Sharpe ratios. For investors willing to pay a slightly higher expense ratio in exchange for improved diversification, RSP is the logical choice.

6. Catalysts and Outlook

The article identifies several market trends that could boost RSP’s performance:

• Mid‑cap momentum – Mid‑cap companies are often more nimble than mega‑caps and are poised for rapid growth.
• Technology diffusion – As tech products become mainstream, many non‑tech firms will adopt new tools, widening the upside beyond the NASDAQ‑100.
• Corporate earnings rebound – Companies that rebounded quickly in 2023 are positioned to benefit from a continued earnings uptick.

Because RSP rebalances quarterly, it can capture upside from any sector that starts to outperform quickly, unlike a cap‑weighted fund that locks in weightings until the next rebalancing cycle.

7. Risks to Consider

No investment is without risk. The article lists a few caveats:

• Higher turnover – Quarterly rebalancing means RSP trades roughly 30–35 % of its holdings each year, which can incur higher transaction costs and potentially higher tax implications for U.S. investors.
• Tracking error – The equal‑weight index is less liquid than the cap‑weighted index, and occasional mispricing can lead to tracking error.
• Sector bias – Certain sectors (e.g., consumer staples) are under‑represented relative to their market cap, which may limit upside during a sector rally.

Nonetheless, the risk profile remains within the bounds of a diversified equity portfolio.

8. How to Buy RSP

1. Brokerage Account – Open a brokerage that offers low‑cost trading of ETFs (e.g., Fidelity, Schwab, TD Ameritrade).
2. Order – Search for the ticker “RSP” and place a market or limit order depending on your pricing preference.
3. Position Sizing – If you’re allocating 30 % of a $10,000 equity allocation, buy approximately 30 $100 shares (adjust for actual price).
4. Rebalancing – RSP itself rebalances quarterly, so you won’t need to adjust manually unless you want to tweak your allocation.

9. Bottom Line

The Motley Fool’s analysis concludes that RSP is the best “overlooked winner” ETF for investors who value a fair distribution of market exposure and are willing to pay a modest premium for it. By balancing the weightings across all 500 S&P 500 constituents, RSP delivers a risk‑adjusted performance edge that is difficult to replicate with a cheaper, cap‑weighted fund.

If you’re looking to enhance your portfolio’s diversification, reduce concentration risk, and potentially capture higher upside during a bullish cycle, adding RSP to your holdings is a straightforward, evidence‑backed strategy that fits both core and tactical allocation frameworks.