IBB vs IVV
iShares Biotechnology ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, IBB or IVV?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IBB led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.3%.
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 | IBB | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.44% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $10.6B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.20% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 253 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +23.93%Best | +13.23% |
| 1Y Return | +48.03%Best | +17.38% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.97% | +22.67%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.45% | +13.13%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.9% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,432 | $18,531Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.3% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 5, 2001 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 9, 2001 to Sep 24, 2026 (25.6 years).
IBB 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 25.6 years both funds cover.
IBB vs IVV Performance
iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) 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 IBB returned +48.03% while IVV returned +17.38%. Year to date, IBB is up 23.93% versus a gain of 13.23% for IVV.
Over three years, IBB compounded at +19.97% per year against +22.67% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +4.45% and +13.13% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +7.47% annualized vs +7.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IBB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% compared with 15.0% 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 -62.9% for IBB 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IBB charges 0.44% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $44 vs $3 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBB currently yields 0.20% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
38.8% of IBB's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 1.3% of IVV's money is in holdings IBB also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
10 positions in common, counted across the 242 positions we hold weights for in IBB and 490 in IVV, against full books of 253 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 472 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for IBB (97.3% of the fund), and 202 for IBB that do not appear in IVV (50.4%).
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 IBB | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 8.45% | 0.35% | 8.10% |
| VRTXNvaesrtex Pharmaceuticals Inc | 8.05% | 0.21% | 7.84% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 7.21% | 0.27% | 6.94% |
| REGNRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 5.72% | 0.12% | 5.60% |
| MRNAModerna therapeutics | 3.62% | 0.07% | 3.55% |
| BIIBBiogen Inc. Com | 2.25% | 0.05% | 2.20% |
| INCYIncyte Corp. | 1.73% | 0.03% | 1.70% |
| CRLCharles River Laboratories International Inc | 0.97% | 0.02% | 0.95% |
| TECHBio-Techne Corp | 0.80% | 0.02% | 0.78% |
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 0.01% | 0.15% | 0.14% |
38.8% of IBB 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, IBB or IVV?
IBB has an expense ratio of 0.44% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IBB or IVV?
Over the past year IBB returned +48.03% vs +17.38% for IVV, so IBB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IBB annualized +7.45% vs +7.47% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IBB or IVV?
IBB has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 15.0% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IBB -62.9% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both IBB and IVV?
IBB and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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 IBB and IVV?
38.8% of IBB's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 1.3% of IVV's is in holdings IBB also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 242 positions we hold weights for in IBB and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, IBB or IVV?
IBB yields 0.20% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than IBB?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IBB led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.