HEFA vs IVV
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, HEFA or IVV?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. HEFA led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | HEFA | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $7.4B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.08% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 786 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +11.18% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.10%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.58% | +21.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.69% | +12.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -45.6% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,617 | $18,384Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2014 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 11, 2014 to Sep 11, 2026 (12.6 years).
HEFA 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 12.6 years both funds cover.
HEFA vs IVV Performance
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year HEFA returned +18.10% while IVV returned +17.57%. Year to date, HEFA is up 11.18% versus a gain of 12.51% for IVV.
Over three years, HEFA compounded at +17.58% per year against +21.27% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +10.69% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +12.76% annualized vs +9.52%.
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 12.3% for HEFA. 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 -45.6% for HEFA 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HEFA charges 0.35% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HEFA currently yields 3.08% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of IVV's money is in holdings HEFA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for HEFA, our book for it covers 101.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in HEFA and 505 in IVV, against full books of 786 and 508.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HEFA | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 0.87% | 0.18% | 0.69% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HEFA 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, HEFA or IVV?
HEFA has an expense ratio of 0.35% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HEFA or IVV?
Over the past year HEFA returned +18.10% vs +17.57% for IVV, so HEFA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), HEFA annualized +9.52% vs +12.76% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HEFA or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 12.3% for HEFA. Worst drawdown: HEFA -45.6% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both HEFA and IVV?
HEFA and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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, HEFA or IVV?
HEFA yields 3.08% while IVV yields 1.06%, so HEFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than HEFA?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. HEFA led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.