FSZ vs IVV
First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FSZ 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. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.7%.
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 | FSZ | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $36M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.01% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 82 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +0.10% | +11.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.33% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.57% | +20.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.05% | +12.80%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.4% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,793 | $18,262Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.7% | 37.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2012 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 16, 2012 to Sep 10, 2026 (14.6 years).
FSZ 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
FSZ vs IVV Performance
First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund (FSZ) 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 FSZ returned +3.33% while IVV returned +17.57%. Year to date, FSZ is up 0.10% versus a gain of 11.57% for IVV.
Over three years, FSZ compounded at +11.57% per year against +20.71% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +5.05% and +12.80% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +13.12% annualized vs +7.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FSZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.1% 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 -35.4% for FSZ 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSZ charges 0.80% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $3 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSZ currently yields 2.01% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 40 holdings in FSZ and 505 in IVV, totalling 99.8% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FSZ and 505 in IVV, against full books of 82 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 495 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FSZ (99.3% of the fund), and 0 for FSZ that do not appear in IVV (0.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FSZ 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, FSZ or IVV?
FSZ has an expense ratio of 0.80% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSZ or IVV?
Over the past year FSZ returned +3.33% vs +17.57% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FSZ annualized +7.76% vs +13.12% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSZ or IVV?
FSZ has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.1% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FSZ -35.4% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both FSZ and IVV?
FSZ and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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, FSZ or IVV?
FSZ yields 2.01% while IVV yields 1.06%, so FSZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FSZ?
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 39.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.