CFA vs IVV
VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Weighted ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, CFA or IVV?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. CFA is less concentrated, with 3.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | CFA | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $544M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.20% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 502 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +6.58% | +13.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.46% | +17.38%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.50% | +22.67%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.21% | +13.13%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.9% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,164 | $18,531Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 3.7%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | Victory Capital Management Inc. | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 1, 2014 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2014 to Sep 24, 2026 (12.2 years).
CFA 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 12.2 years both funds cover.
CFA vs IVV Performance
VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Weighted ETF (CFA) is an ETF from Victory Capital Management Inc. and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year CFA returned +8.46% while IVV returned +17.38%. Year to date, CFA is up 6.58% versus a gain of 13.23% for IVV.
Over three years, CFA compounded at +13.50% per year against +22.67% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +7.21% and +13.13% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +12.46% annualized vs +9.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CFA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 14.8% for IVV. 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 -37.9% for CFA and -33.9% 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CFA charges 0.35% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CFA currently yields 1.20% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
81.8% of CFA's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 90.8% of IVV's money is in holdings CFA also owns.
Most of IVV is already inside CFA. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
392 positions in common, counted across the 500 positions we hold weights for in CFA and 490 in IVV, against full books of 502 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for CFA (8.1% of the fund), and 104 for CFA that do not appear in IVV (17.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CFA | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.20% | 8.07% | 7.87% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.30% | 7.02% | 6.72% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.30% | 5.69% | 5.39% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.22% | 3.84% | 3.62% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.22% | 3.00% | 2.78% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.15% | 2.65% | 2.50% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.15% | 1.90% | 1.75% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.21% | 1.63% | 1.42% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 0.40% | 1.39% | 0.99% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.30% | 1.44% | 1.14% |
90.8% of IVV is already inside CFA.
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, CFA or IVV?
CFA has an expense ratio of 0.35% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CFA or IVV?
Over the past year CFA returned +8.46% vs +17.38% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), CFA annualized +9.35% vs +12.46% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CFA or IVV?
CFA has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 14.8% for IVV. Worst drawdown: CFA -37.9% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both CFA and IVV?
CFA and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between CFA and IVV?
90.8% of IVV's money is in holdings CFA also owns. 90.8% of IVV's is in holdings CFA also owns. They hold 392 positions in common, counted across the 500 positions we hold weights for in CFA and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, CFA or IVV?
CFA yields 1.20% while IVV yields 1.06%, so CFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than CFA?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. CFA is less concentrated, with 3.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.