IEF vs IVV
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, IEF or IVV?
Long Term Government Bond against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 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 | IEF | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $41.8B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.94% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 16 | 508 |
| YTD Return | -2.96% | +12.39%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.35% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.44% | +21.38%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.80% | +13.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.6%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.9%Best | -56.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,132 | $18,844Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Government Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 22, 2002 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 26, 2002 to Sep 18, 2026 (24.1 years).
IEF 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 24.1 years both funds cover.
IEF vs IVV Performance
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF) 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 IEF returned -2.35% while IVV returned +16.61%. Year to date, IEF is down 2.96% versus a gain of 12.39% for IVV.
Over three years, IEF compounded at +3.44% per year against +21.38% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are -1.80% and +13.51% respectively. Across the full 24-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.85% annualized vs +3.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 6.6% for IEF. 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 -23.9% for IEF 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 -0.11. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IEF charges 0.15% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IEF currently yields 3.94% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of IVV's money is in holdings IEF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for IEF, our book for it covers 70.1% 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 12 positions we hold weights for in IEF and 490 in IVV, against full books of 16 and 508.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IEF | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 1.11% | 0.15% | 0.96% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IEF 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, IEF or IVV?
IEF has an expense ratio of 0.15% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IEF or IVV?
Over the past year IEF returned -2.35% vs +16.61% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (24 years), IEF annualized +3.25% vs +9.85% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IEF or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 6.6% for IEF. Worst drawdown: IEF -23.9% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both IEF and IVV?
IEF and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of -0.11, 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, IEF or IVV?
IEF yields 3.94% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IEF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than IEF?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.