FTHI vs IVV
First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FTHI or IVV?
Long-Short Strategy against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTHI is less concentrated, with 33.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | FTHI | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.86% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 352 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +5.68% | +11.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.36% | +15.62%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.32% | +20.81%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.64% | +12.61%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.4%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.5% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,579 | $18,109Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.0%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Long-Short Strategy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 6, 2014 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 7, 2014 to Sep 16, 2026 (12.7 years).
FTHI 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 12.7 years both funds cover.
FTHI vs IVV Performance
First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) 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 FTHI returned +8.36% while IVV returned +15.62%. Year to date, FTHI is up 5.68% versus a gain of 11.03% for IVV.
Over three years, FTHI compounded at +13.32% per year against +20.81% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +10.64% and +12.61% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +12.45% annualized vs +4.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 11.4% for FTHI. 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 -35.5% for FTHI 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTHI charges 0.75% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTHI currently yields 8.86% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
72.5% of FTHI's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 59.9% of IVV's money is in holdings FTHI also owns.
Most of FTHI is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
89 positions in common, counted across the 168 positions we hold weights for in FTHI and 490 in IVV, against full books of 352 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 393 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FTHI (38.8% of the fund), and 49 for FTHI that do not appear in IVV (13.0%).
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 FTHI | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.68% | 7.02% | 0.66% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.99% | 8.07% | 2.08% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.54% | 5.69% | 3.15% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.56% | 3.84% | 1.28% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.03% | 3.00% | 0.97% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.15% | 2.65% | 0.50% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.78% | 1.44% | 1.34% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.70% | 2.39% | 0.69% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.19% | 1.90% | 0.71% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.46% | 0.61% | 1.85% |
72.5% of FTHI 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, FTHI or IVV?
FTHI has an expense ratio of 0.75% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTHI or IVV?
Over the past year FTHI returned +8.36% vs +15.62% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FTHI annualized +4.91% vs +12.45% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTHI or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 11.4% for FTHI. Worst drawdown: FTHI -35.5% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both FTHI and IVV?
FTHI and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 FTHI and IVV?
72.5% of FTHI's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 59.9% of IVV's is in holdings FTHI also owns. They hold 89 positions in common, counted across the 168 positions we hold weights for in FTHI and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTHI or IVV?
FTHI yields 8.86% while IVV yields 1.06%, so FTHI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FTHI?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTHI is less concentrated, with 33.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.