IFV vs SPY
First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, IFV or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY 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 | IFV | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.14% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $227M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.83% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 12 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +1.99% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.89% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.39% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.71% | +13.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.2% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,588 | $18,728Best |
| Top 10 Weight | - | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 22, 2014 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 23, 2014 to Sep 18, 2026 (12.2 years).
IFV 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 12.2 years both funds cover.
IFV vs SPY Performance
First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IFV returned +6.89% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, IFV is up 1.99% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, IFV compounded at +13.39% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +4.71% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.37% annualized vs +2.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IFV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 14.8% for SPY. 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 -51.2% for IFV and -34.1% 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IFV charges 1.14% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $114 vs $9 annually, a gap of $105 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IFV currently yields 1.83% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 5 holdings in IFV and 504 in SPY, totalling 99.9% and 99.9% 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 5 positions we hold weights for in IFV and 504 in SPY, against full books of 12 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 497 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for IFV (99.3% of the fund), and 5 for IFV that do not appear in SPY (99.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IFV 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, IFV or SPY?
IFV has an expense ratio of 1.14% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $105 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IFV or SPY?
Over the past year IFV returned +6.89% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), IFV annualized +2.99% vs +12.37% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IFV or SPY?
IFV has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 14.8% for SPY. Worst drawdown: IFV -51.2% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both IFV and SPY?
IFV and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, IFV or SPY?
IFV yields 1.83% while SPY yields 0.98%, so IFV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than IFV?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY 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.