FNX vs IVV
First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FNX or IVV?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. FNX is less concentrated, with 5.0% 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 | FNX | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.62% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 451 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +11.67% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.40% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.55% | +21.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.45% | +12.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.9% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.6% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,002 | $18,384Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.0%Best | 37.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2007 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.3 years).
FNX 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
FNX vs IVV Performance
First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FNX) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year FNX returned +13.40% while IVV returned +17.57%. Year to date, FNX is up 11.67% versus a gain of 12.51% for IVV.
Over three years, FNX compounded at +15.55% per year against +21.27% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +8.45% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.25% annualized vs +8.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FNX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 15.6% 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 -57.6% for FNX and -56.5% 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FNX charges 0.62% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $62 vs $3 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNX currently yields 0.81% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
8.4% of FNX's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.8% of IVV's money is in holdings FNX also owns.
FNX and IVV share little of their money.
44 positions in common, counted across the 447 positions we hold weights for in FNX and 505 in IVV, against full books of 451 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 452 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FNX (98.5% of the fund), and 394 for FNX that do not appear in IVV (88.0%).
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 FNX | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| APAApa Corp | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 0.45% | 0.03% | 0.42% |
| SOLVSolventum Corp | 0.44% | 0.02% | 0.42% |
| UHSUniversal Health Services Inc. | 0.43% | 0.01% | 0.42% |
| FDSFactset Research Systems Inc. | 0.41% | 0.02% | 0.39% |
| EGEverest Group, Ltd. | 0.39% | 0.02% | 0.37% |
| MOSMosaic Co. | 0.34% | 0.01% | 0.33% |
| CRLCharles River Laboratories International Inc | 0.29% | 0.02% | 0.27% |
| IVZInvesco PLC | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
| HSTHost Hotels & Resorts Inc | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FNX 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, FNX or IVV?
FNX has an expense ratio of 0.62% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FNX or IVV?
Over the past year FNX returned +13.40% vs +17.57% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FNX annualized +8.74% vs +9.25% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FNX or IVV?
FNX has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 15.6% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FNX -57.6% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both FNX and IVV?
FNX and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 FNX and IVV?
8.4% of FNX's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.8% of IVV's is in holdings FNX also owns. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 447 positions we hold weights for in FNX and 505 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, FNX or IVV?
FNX yields 0.81% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FNX?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. FNX is less concentrated, with 5.0% 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.