VanEck Retail ETF (RTH): What Is It? — Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) tracks the MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index and invests in 25 leading U.S. retail and distribution companies as a sector-focused product. The key selection criteria are its strategic and holdings differences from broad consumer-discretionary ETFs such as XLY, and its expense ratio and dividend level are also worth comparing.
SubscribeWhat Is the VanEck Retail ETF?
It is a passive ETF that tracks the MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index, holding the largest U.S.-listed retail and distribution stocks using a market-capitalization weighting. It covers online, big-box, specialty retail, and essential consumer distribution.
It is well suited for investors seeking concentrated exposure to the U.S. consumer and distribution sector.
It is a passive (index-tracking) ETF managed by VanEck.
How Does the VanEck Retail ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | MVIS US Listed Retail 25 |
| Management Style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Rebalancing Cycle | Once per quarter |
| Dividend Schedule | Quarterly dividend |
| Manager | VanEck |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.35% |
The ETF selects leading large-cap U.S.-listed retail and distribution names and holds them in proportion to their market capitalizations. Inclusion is limited to companies that generate a meaningful share of revenue from retail, and the lineup is refreshed quarterly according to index rules.
- Thematic exposure concentrated in retail and distribution
- Compact lineup centered on large-cap retail names
VanEck Retail ETF Size and Cost (AUM and Expense Ratio)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $240.4M, and the total expense ratio is 0.35% annually.
VanEck Retail ETF Performance and Fund Flows
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeFund flows shift with the consumer cycle, interest rates, and the labor market, while the transition to online retail and shifts in market dominance among large distributors shape the broader sector's direction. Short-term performance tends to react sensitively to consumer indicators and earnings season.
Flows move in line with demand for exposure to the consumer cycle, with funds typically flowing into consumer-discretionary sectors when economic expectations improve. In defensive phases, the mix can shift depending on the weighting of consumer staples.
VanEck Retail ETF: Strengths and Weaknesses
Its tightly focused exposure to U.S. retail and distribution is a strength, while concentration in a limited number of holdings and sector narrowness are drawbacks.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
VanEck Retail ETF: Alternative and Related ETFs
XLY, VCR, and FDIS shown in the table are broader ETFs covering the entire consumer-discretionary sector, and include consumer industries beyond retail and distribution — such as autos and media — that the retail-only RTH does not. For tighter retail exposure, IBUY and ONLN, which focus on online retail, are options; for a defensive shift into consumer staples, XLP can be considered; and for a contrarian bet, inverse-style EMTY is also worth reviewing.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 XLY | State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF | $112.96 | +0.9% | $21.3B | 0.08% | 0.8% | -4.8% |
 VCR | Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF | $380.21 | +1.0% | $5.8B | 0.09% | 0.75% | -3.7% |
 FDIS | Fidelity MSCI Consumer Discretionary Index ETF | $98.75 | +1.1% | $1.6B | 0.08% | 0.75% | -3.7% |
 IYC | iShares U.S. Consumer Discretionary ETF | $98.29 | +0.9% | $1.2B | 0.38% | 0.52% | -6.6% |
 XRT | State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF | $84.79 | +1.4% | $397.3M | 0.35% | 0.79% | -3.8% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 0.20% | $256.78 | +1.9% | $2.77T | 20.6 | - |
| AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 0.20% | $256.78 | +1.9% | $2.77T | 20.6 | - |
| WMT | Walmart Inc | 0.11% | $107.12 | +1.3% | $849.9B | 38.8 | 0.93% |
| WMT | Walmart Inc | 0.11% | $107.12 | +1.3% | $849.9B | 38.8 | 0.93% |
| COST | Costco Wholesale Corp | 0.08% | $904.77 | +0.3% | $401.2B | 45.5 | 0.57% |
| COST | Costco Wholesale Corp | 0.08% | $904.77 | +0.3% | $401.2B | 45.5 | 0.57% |
| HD | Home Depot Inc | 0.05% | $308.74 | +1.0% | $308.0B | 21.6 | 2.99% |
| TJX | TJX Companies Inc | 0.05% | $126.02 | -0.3% | $138.6B | 23.3 | 1.47% |
| HD | Home Depot Inc | 0.05% | $308.74 | +1.0% | $308.0B | 21.6 | 2.99% |
| CVS | CVS Health Corp | 0.05% | $94.66 | -0.7% | $121.1B | 25.0 | 2.88% |
Investor Checklist for the VanEck Retail ETF
Here are the points to review before investing in RTH. Because the product is concentrated in a single consumer and distribution sector, it is wise to check sector concentration, top-holding weights, the cost structure, and currency impact in advance.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Impact of compounding costs over long-term holding | Annual fee applied |
| 📊 Holding Concentration | Trends in top-holding weights | Heavy large-cap weighting |
| 🛒 Sector Concentration | Sensitivity to the consumer cycle | Single-sector focus |
| 💱 Currency | Effect on won-converted returns | No currency hedging |
Concentration in a single retail and distribution segment can amplify volatility during consumer slowdowns and shifts in the rate environment, and the high weightings of top holdings mean single-stock issues can influence overall performance.
It is a sector-focused ETF suited to investors seeking concentrated exposure to the U.S. consumer and distribution sector. For broader consumer-discretionary exposure, compare alongside XLY and VCR; for online retail focus, compare alongside IBUY and ONLN before deciding.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 18, 2026.
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