FTHY vs IVV
First Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FTHY or IVV?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTHY is less concentrated, with 16.1% 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 | FTHY | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $644M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.78% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 301 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +0.21% | +12.39%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.88% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.92% | +21.38%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.62% | +13.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.9%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.2% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,837 | $18,844Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.1%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2020 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2020 to Sep 18, 2026 (6.2 years).
FTHY 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 6.2 years both funds cover.
FTHY vs IVV Performance
First Trust High Yield Opportunities 2027 Term Fund (FTHY) 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 FTHY returned -0.88% while IVV returned +16.61%. Year to date, FTHY is up 0.21% versus a gain of 12.39% for IVV.
Over three years, FTHY compounded at +9.92% per year against +21.38% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +1.62% and +13.51% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +17.64% annualized vs +2.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 11.9% for FTHY. 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 -31.2% for FTHY and -24.5% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTHY charges 3.59% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $359 vs $3 annually, a gap of $356 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTHY currently yields 10.78% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 222 holdings in FTHY and 490 in IVV, totalling 102.9% and 99.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 94 days apart, FTHY as of May 29, 2026 and IVV as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 222 positions we hold weights for in FTHY and 490 in IVV, against full books of 301 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 482 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FTHY (98.6% of the fund), and 221 for FTHY that do not appear in IVV (102.9%).
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 FTHY 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, FTHY or IVV?
FTHY has an expense ratio of 3.59% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $356 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTHY or IVV?
Over the past year FTHY returned -0.88% vs +16.61% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FTHY annualized +2.34% vs +17.64% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTHY or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 11.9% for FTHY. Worst drawdown: FTHY -31.2% vs IVV -24.5%.
Should I hold both FTHY and IVV?
FTHY and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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, FTHY or IVV?
FTHY yields 10.78% while IVV yields 1.06%, so FTHY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FTHY?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTHY is less concentrated, with 16.1% 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.