CTEF vs IVV
Castellan Targeted Equity ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, CTEF or IVV?
CTEF has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. CTEF led over 1Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.1%.
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 | CTEF | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $636M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.06% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 47 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +25.49%Best | +12.39% |
| 1Y Return | +33.75%Best | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.38% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.1% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -15.0% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $17,412Best | $13,101 |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.1% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Castellan ETFs | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 17, 2025 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 18, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.3 years).
CTEF 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
CTEF vs IVV Performance
Castellan Targeted Equity ETF (CTEF) is an ETF from Castellan ETFs and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year CTEF returned +33.75% while IVV returned +16.61%. Year to date, CTEF is up 25.49% versus a gain of 12.39% for IVV.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CTEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 12.0% 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 -15.0% for CTEF and -8.9% 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CTEF charges 0.45% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CTEF currently yields 0.06% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
55.2% of CTEF's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 16.8% of IVV's money is in holdings CTEF also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
13 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in CTEF and 490 in IVV, against full books of 47 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 469 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for CTEF (81.8% of the fund), and 10 for CTEF that do not appear in IVV (43.6%).
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 CTEF | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.37% | 8.07% | 3.70% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.67% | 5.69% | 3.02% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.61% | 1.63% | 2.98% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 5.08% | 0.57% | 4.51% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc | 5.39% | 0.16% | 5.23% |
| NTAPNetapp Inc | 5.38% | 0.06% | 5.32% |
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 4.95% | 0.08% | 4.87% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp Company Guar 11/28 3 | 4.32% | 0.23% | 4.09% |
| JBLJabil, Inc. | 4.36% | 0.05% | 4.31% |
| EXPEExpedia Group Inc (consumer Discretionary) | 3.97% | 0.05% | 3.92% |
55.2% of CTEF is already inside IVV.
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, CTEF or IVV?
CTEF has an expense ratio of 0.45% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CTEF or IVV?
Over the past year CTEF returned +33.75% vs +16.61% for IVV, so CTEF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), CTEF annualized +53.20% vs +23.09% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CTEF or IVV?
CTEF has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 12.0% for IVV. Worst drawdown: CTEF -15.0% vs IVV -8.9%.
Should I hold both CTEF and IVV?
CTEF and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between CTEF and IVV?
55.2% of CTEF's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 16.8% of IVV's is in holdings CTEF also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in CTEF and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, CTEF or IVV?
CTEF yields 0.06% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than CTEF?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. CTEF led over 1Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.