IBHF vs SPY
iShares iBonds 2026 Term High Yield and Income ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, IBHF or SPY?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.4%.
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 | IBHF | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $708M | $811.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.01% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 82 | 1,515 |
| YTD Return | -2.56% | +13.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.24% | +16.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.71% | +23.72%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.01% | +13.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.0%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.2%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,598 | $19,212Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.4% | 38.2%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2020 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 12, 2020 to Oct 2, 2026 (5.9 years).
IBHF vs SPY 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 5.9 years both funds cover.
IBHF vs SPY Performance
iShares iBonds 2026 Term High Yield and Income ETF (IBHF) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IBHF returned -2.24% while SPY returned +16.25%. Year to date, IBHF is down 2.56% versus a gain of 13.54% for SPY.
Over three years, IBHF compounded at +5.71% per year against +23.72% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +3.01% and +13.95% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +15.64% annualized vs +3.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 5.0% for IBHF. 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 -11.2% for IBHF and -24.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IBHF charges 0.35% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $9 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBHF currently yields 6.01% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 78 holdings in IBHF and 504 in SPY, totalling 98.0% and 99.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 78 positions we hold weights for in IBHF and 504 in SPY, against full books of 82 and 1,515.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 78 and 504 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 497 positions IBHF does not, 99.2% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.78%, AAPL 7.45%, MSFT 5.71%, AMZN 3.78%, GOOGL 3.12%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IBHF and SPY 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, IBHF or SPY?
IBHF has an expense ratio of 0.35% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IBHF or SPY?
Over the past year IBHF returned -2.24% vs +16.25% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), IBHF annualized +3.65% vs +15.64% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IBHF or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 5.0% for IBHF. Worst drawdown: IBHF -11.2% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both IBHF and SPY?
IBHF and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, IBHF or SPY?
IBHF yields 6.01% while SPY yields 0.98%, so IBHF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than IBHF?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.