EEMS vs IVV
Ishares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, EEMS or IVV?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. EEMS led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EEMS is less concentrated, with 6.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%.
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 | EEMS | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.72% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $374M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.09% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 1,723 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +14.67%Best | +12.24% |
| 1Y Return | +18.80%Best | +18.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.57% | +20.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.39% | +12.76%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.7% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,283 | $18,230Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.0%Best | 37.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 16, 2011 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 18, 2011 to Sep 9, 2026 (15.1 years).
EEMS 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 15.1 years both funds cover.
EEMS vs IVV Performance
Ishares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EEMS) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year EEMS returned +18.80% while IVV returned +18.61%. Year to date, EEMS is up 14.67% versus a gain of 12.24% for IVV.
Over three years, EEMS compounded at +14.57% per year against +20.98% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +7.39% and +12.76% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.01% annualized vs +4.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EEMS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 14.3% 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 -51.7% for EEMS 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EEMS charges 0.72% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $72 vs $3 annually, a gap of $69 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EEMS currently yields 3.09% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
0.6% of EEMS's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.2% of IVV's money is in holdings EEMS also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1,682 positions we hold weights for in EEMS and 505 in IVV, against full books of 1,723 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 494 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for EEMS (99.2% of the fund), and 17 for EEMS that do not appear in IVV (1.0%).
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 EEMS | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 0.56% | 0.18% | 0.38% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EEMS 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, EEMS or IVV?
EEMS has an expense ratio of 0.72% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $69 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EEMS or IVV?
Over the past year EEMS returned +18.80% vs +18.61% for IVV, so EEMS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), EEMS annualized +4.04% vs +14.01% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EEMS or IVV?
EEMS has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 14.3% for IVV. Worst drawdown: EEMS -51.7% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both EEMS and IVV?
EEMS and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, EEMS or IVV?
EEMS yields 3.09% while IVV yields 1.06%, so EEMS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than EEMS?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. EEMS led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EEMS is less concentrated, with 6.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.