BUYW vs IVV
Main BuyWrite ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, BUYW or IVV?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | BUYW | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.91% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 21 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +1.96% | +12.01%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.80% | +16.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.44% | +21.21%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.6%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.4%Best | -18.8% |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $13,864 | $19,572Best |
| Fund Family | Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 29, 2015 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2022 to Sep 14, 2026 (4 years).
BUYW vs IVV 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 4 years both funds cover.
BUYW vs IVV Performance
Main BuyWrite ETF (BUYW) is an ETF from Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year BUYW returned +3.80% while IVV returned +16.48%. Year to date, BUYW is up 1.96% versus a gain of 12.01% for IVV.
Over three years, BUYW compounded at +7.44% per year against +21.21% for IVV. Across the full 4-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +18.28% annualized vs +8.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 4.6% for BUYW. 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 -9.4% for BUYW and -18.8% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUYW charges 0.99% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $3 annually, a gap of $96 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUYW currently yields 5.91% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9 holdings in BUYW and 490 in IVV, totalling 116.0% and 99.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 9 positions we hold weights for in BUYW and 490 in IVV, against full books of 21 and 508.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUYW and IVV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BUYW or IVV?
BUYW has an expense ratio of 0.99% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $96 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUYW or IVV?
Over the past year BUYW returned +3.80% vs +16.48% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BUYW annualized +8.51% vs +18.28% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUYW or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 4.6% for BUYW. Worst drawdown: BUYW -9.4% vs IVV -18.8%.
Should I hold both BUYW and IVV?
BUYW and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUYW or IVV?
BUYW yields 5.91% while IVV yields 1.06%, so BUYW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than BUYW?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.