What is the main structural difference between EQL and RSP?

EQL allocates equally across sectors, while RSP allocates equally across individual stocks. This means EQL balances exposure by industry, whereas RSP gives every stock in its universe the same weight. Consequently, sector performance drives EQL's returns differently than RSP, which is influenced more by individual stock performance within a broad market framework.

Why do the top holdings of these two ETFs look so different?

Because EQL weights sectors equally, its largest holdings are major companies from high-weight sectors, such as GOOGL at 5.33%. In contrast, RSP weights each S&P 500 stock nearly equally, capping any single holding near 0.67%. This structural difference creates distinct portfolios even if both funds are considered large-cap, as seen in their non-overlapping top 10 lists.

How do the expense ratios of EQL and RSP compare?

EQL has an expense ratio of 0.19%, while RSP charges 0.20%. This 0.01 percentage point difference is minimal. Over ten years, on a $10,000 investment, the cumulative fee difference would be roughly $1, assuming no growth. For most investors, this tiny gap is less significant than the funds' structural differences or overall portfolio strategy.

Do EQL and RSP share any major top-ten holdings?

No. Based on the data provided, there is no overlap between their top 10 holdings. EQL's top position is GOOGL at 5.33%, while RSP's is MRNA at 0.67%. This distinctness stems from their construction: EQL concentrates on sector leaders, while RSP spreads weight evenly across hundreds of stocks, preventing any single company from dominating its portfolio.

How do the dividend yields of EQL and RSP differ?

RSP offers a dividend yield of 1.49%, slightly higher than EQL's 1.35%. While RSP provides marginally more income, both yields are modest compared to dedicated income funds. The difference is negligible for most long-term strategies, and both funds pay dividends primarily based on the cash distributions of their underlying constituents rather than fund-specific policies.

How does the size difference between these funds affect investors?

RSP manages $98.0 billion in assets, whereas EQL oversees $752 million. RSP's massive scale supports deep liquidity and potentially tighter trading spreads. EQL's smaller size doesn't inherently disadvantage retail investors, but very large trades in EQL might face more slippage. Both funds remain accessible, but RSP's size reflects broader institutional adoption.

Which investing style is each fund typically associated with?

EQL is categorized as a large-cap value fund due to its sector balance and top holdings in established industries like energy and tech. RSP is a large-cap blend fund because it mirrors the S&P 500's breadth. Neither fund is exclusively value or growth; they are neutral strategies, but EQL's structure may lean more toward value via sector tilting.

How do inception dates influence historical performance data?

RSP launched on April 24, 2003, while EQL began trading on July 7, 2009. RSP has over six years of additional history, offering longer-term performance records across more market cycles. EQL's shorter track record means fewer data points for historical analysis, but both funds have operated through major economic shifts, providing substantial historical context for comparison.

Why do ETF distributions sometimes fluctuate unexpectedly?

ETFs like EQL and RSP pass through dividends from their underlying stocks. When constituent companies adjust payouts or special dividends occur, the ETF's distribution changes. Since EQL and RSP hold different stocks due to their weighting methods, their distribution timing and amounts can diverge significantly, even if overall market yields appear similar.

What should beginners know before interpreting this comparison?

These figures illustrate structural and operational differences, not investment suitability. Always consider your risk tolerance, time horizon, and portfolio goals. This data reflects Yahoo Finance as of 2026-09-22 and may change. Educational content only; not financial advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised guidance based on your unique circumstances.

EQL vs RSP

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in October 2026.

Compare EQL and RSP, exploring fees, holdings, dividends and how each fund tracks its market. EQL has an expense ratio of 0.19% and net assets of $752 million. RSP has an expense ratio of 0.20% and net assets of $98.0 billion. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

EQL

Metric

RSP

0.19%

Expense Ratio

0.20%

1.35%

Dividend Yield

1.49%

$752.07M

Net Assets

$98.03B

499

Holdings

509

Jul 7, 2009

Inception Date

Apr 24, 2003

–

Index Tracked

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Large Value

Fund Category

Large Blend

EQL costs about $1.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

Discover More Comparisons

EQL vs VOO

Compare EQL and VOO ETFs on fees, holdings and dividends. Note 0.19% vs 0.03% expense ratios and tracking details availability for both funds.

Investment Analysis

EQL

Pros

EQL maintains lower concentration than RSP by allocating equally across sectors rather than individual stocks.
Its expense ratio of 0.19% remains marginally cheaper than RSP's 0.20% cost structure.
With a dividend yield of 1.35%, EQL provides modest income while maintaining a sector-balanced approach.

Considerations

EQL’s net assets of $752 million are substantially smaller than RSP’s $98 billion scale.
Its top holding GOOGL at 5.33% introduces individual stock concentration within a sector-weighted framework.
The fund's inception date of July 2009 results in a shorter operational history compared to RSP.

RSP

Pros

RSP benefits from massive scale with $98 billion in net assets, supporting deep market liquidity.
Each holding is capped near 0.67%, resulting in extreme diversification across S&P 500 constituents.
Launched in April 2003, RSP has operated for a longer period than most competitors.

Considerations

RSP's 0.20% expense ratio represents a slightly higher cost than EQL's 0.19% fee structure.
Individual stock equal weighting can create sector-level imbalances during periods of sector outperformance or underperformance.
The dividend yield of 1.49% provides minimal income advantage over EQL's comparable yield profile.

About EQL and RSP

EQL (EQL)

The ALPS ETF Trust Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) offers a distinct approach to large-cap exposure. Rather than following traditional market capitalisation weighting, this fund allocates equally across sectors. This strategy aims to reduce concentration risk in heavily weighted sectors, potentially providing a more balanced portfolio structure. With 499 holdings, it offers broad diversification across the large-cap market, classified within the Large Value category. Investors should note that while equal weighting can mitigate the dominance of specific industries, it may also underperform in periods where a single sector, such as technology, drives significant market returns. The fund maintains a competitive expense ratio of 0.19% and has been in operation since July 2009. Its current dividend yield stands at 1.35%. As with any investment, values can fluctuate, and returns are not guaranteed. It serves as an educational example of alternative weighting methodologies for investors exploring sector diversification strategies.

RSP (RSP)

The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF offers investors a distinct approach to tracking the performance of large-cap US equities. Unlike traditional index funds that weight companies by market capitalisation, this fund assigns an equal weight to each constituent, typically around 0.20%. This methodology can provide greater exposure to mid-sized companies within the S&P 500 and potentially reduce concentration risk in the largest tech giants. With a modest expense ratio of 0.20% and net assets exceeding USD 98 billion, it stands as a significant vehicle for diversified equity exposure. The fund holds approximately 509 securities, reflecting the inclusion of multiple share classes. While the strategy aims to capture broad market returns, investors should remember that equal-weight portfolios may experience different volatility patterns compared to cap-weighted benchmarks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

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EQL vs RSP

Fund Snapshot

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EQL vs VOO

Investment Analysis

EQL

Pros

Considerations

RSP

Pros

Considerations

About EQL and RSP

Buy EQL or RSP in Nemo

Zero Commission

Trusted & Regulated

6% Interest on Cash

Frequently asked questions

What is the main structural difference between EQL and RSP?

Why do the top holdings of these two ETFs look so different?

How do the expense ratios of EQL and RSP compare?

Do EQL and RSP share any major top-ten holdings?

How do the dividend yields of EQL and RSP differ?

How does the size difference between these funds affect investors?

Which investing style is each fund typically associated with?

How do inception dates influence historical performance data?

Why do ETF distributions sometimes fluctuate unexpectedly?

What should beginners know before interpreting this comparison?

Fund Snapshot

About EQL and RSP

Discover More Comparisons

EQL vs VOO