CWS vs IVV
AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, CWS or IVV?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.9%.
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 | CWS | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $131M | $886.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.29% | 1.10% |
| Holdings | 27 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +3.90% | +13.39%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.08% | +20.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.58% | +21.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.25% | +12.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.8%Best | -33.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,864 | $18,327Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.9% | 37.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Advisor Shares | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10 years).
CWS 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 10 years both funds cover.
CWS vs IVV Performance
AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) is an ETF from Advisor Shares and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year CWS returned +4.08% while IVV returned +20.08%. Year to date, CWS is up 3.90% versus a gain of 13.39% for IVV.
Over three years, CWS compounded at +9.58% per year against +21.29% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +8.25% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.45% annualized vs +11.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CWS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 15.4% 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 -33.8% for CWS 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CWS charges 0.65% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CWS currently yields 0.29% against 1.10% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
70.6% of CWS's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 2.2% of IVV's money is in holdings CWS also owns.
Most of CWS is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
19 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in CWS and 505 in IVV, against full books of 27 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 26 and 505 positions we hold weights for.
IVV holds 478 positions CWS does not, 97.1% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.98%, AAPL 6.86%, MSFT 5.44%, AMZN 4.01%, GOOGL 3.19%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CWS | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 7.58% | 0.09% | 7.49% |
| CASYCaseys General | 5.84% | 0.05% | 5.79% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 4.72% | 0.32% | 4.40% |
| HSICHenry Schein Inc | 4.42% | 0.01% | 4.41% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 3.83% | 0.32% | 3.51% |
| MCKMckesson Corp. | 3.94% | 0.16% | 3.78% |
| AWKAmerican Water Works Co. Inc. | 3.84% | 0.04% | 3.80% |
| SYKStryker Corp 3.375 11/25 | 3.54% | 0.17% | 3.37% |
| MCOMoody'S Corp. | 3.59% | 0.11% | 3.48% |
| ICEInternational Exchange, Inc. | 3.57% | 0.13% | 3.44% |
70.6% of CWS 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, CWS or IVV?
CWS has an expense ratio of 0.65% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CWS or IVV?
Over the past year CWS returned +4.08% vs +20.08% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), CWS annualized +11.57% vs +14.45% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CWS or IVV?
CWS has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.4% for IVV. Worst drawdown: CWS -33.8% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both CWS and IVV?
CWS and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 CWS and IVV?
70.6% of CWS's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 2.2% of IVV's is in holdings CWS also owns. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in CWS and 505 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, CWS or IVV?
CWS yields 0.29% while IVV yields 1.10%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than CWS?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.