FXL vs IVV
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FXL or IVV?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, IVV over 5Y. FXL is less concentrated, with 19.2% 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 | FXL | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.7B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 222 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +24.92%Best | +11.51% |
| 1Y Return | +26.16%Best | +15.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.69%Best | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.76% | +12.66%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.4% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,669 | $18,149Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 19.2%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | 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 15, 2026 (19.4 years).
FXL 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
FXL vs IVV Performance
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) 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 FXL returned +26.16% while IVV returned +15.96%. Year to date, FXL is up 24.92% versus a gain of 11.51% for IVV.
Over three years, FXL compounded at +23.69% per year against +21.01% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +10.76% and +12.66% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, FXL has the edge at +13.25% annualized vs +9.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% 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 -61.4% for FXL 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXL charges 0.60% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXL currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
49.8% of FXL's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 38.6% of IVV's money is in holdings FXL also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
53 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in FXL and 490 in IVV, against full books of 222 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 429 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FXL (60.0% of the fund), and 53 for FXL that do not appear in IVV (45.4%).
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 FXL | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.68% | 8.07% | 7.39% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.34% | 7.02% | 6.68% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.83% | 5.69% | 4.86% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.87% | 3.00% | 2.13% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.60% | 2.65% | 2.05% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.27% | 1.63% | 0.36% |
| CTSHCognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A | 2.55% | 0.05% | 2.50% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.62% | 1.90% | 1.28% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.24% | 1.16% | 0.08% |
| PTCPtc Inc | 2.10% | 0.03% | 2.07% |
49.8% of FXL 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, FXL or IVV?
FXL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXL or IVV?
Over the past year FXL returned +26.16% vs +15.96% for IVV, so FXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FXL annualized +13.25% vs +9.20% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXL or IVV?
FXL has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 15.6% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FXL -61.4% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both FXL and IVV?
FXL and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 FXL and IVV?
49.8% of FXL's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 38.6% of IVV's is in holdings FXL also owns. They hold 53 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in FXL and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXL or IVV?
FXL yields 0.00% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FXL?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, IVV over 5Y. FXL is less concentrated, with 19.2% 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.