ITA vs IVV
iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, ITA or IVV?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. ITA led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, IVV over 1Y. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 77.3%.
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 | ITA | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $13.5B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.47% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 53 | 508 |
| YTD Return | -1.35% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.87% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.72%Best | +21.27% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.09%Best | +12.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.7% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,009Best | $18,384 |
| Top 10 Weight | 77.3% | 37.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 2006 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 5, 2006 to Sep 11, 2026 (20.4 years).
ITA 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 20.4 years both funds cover.
ITA vs IVV Performance
iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) 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 ITA returned +9.87% while IVV returned +17.57%. Year to date, ITA is down 1.35% versus a gain of 12.51% for IVV.
Over three years, ITA compounded at +26.72% per year against +21.27% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +17.09% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, ITA has the edge at +12.21% annualized vs +9.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ITA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 15.2% 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 -59.7% for ITA 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ITA charges 0.37% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $3 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ITA currently yields 0.47% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
79.2% of ITA's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 2.4% of IVV's money is in holdings ITA also owns.
Most of ITA is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
13 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in ITA and 505 in IVV, against full books of 53 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 50 and 505 positions we hold weights for.
IVV holds 482 positions ITA does not, 96.9% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.98%, AAPL 6.86%, MSFT 5.44%, AMZN 4.01%, GOOGL 3.19%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ITA | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEGeneral Electric Co. | 22.20% | 0.60% | 21.60% |
| RTXRaytheon Technologies Corp | 16.71% | 0.45% | 16.26% |
| BABoeing Co | 9.50% | 0.28% | 9.22% |
| HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc. | 4.69% | 0.18% | 4.51% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 4.52% | 0.15% | 4.37% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 4.42% | 0.18% | 4.24% |
| TDGTransdigm Group Inc. | 4.16% | 0.11% | 4.05% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 4.13% | 0.11% | 4.02% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 3.60% | 0.08% | 3.52% |
| AXONAxon Enterprise Inc | 3.32% | 0.07% | 3.25% |
79.2% of ITA 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, ITA or IVV?
ITA has an expense ratio of 0.37% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ITA or IVV?
Over the past year ITA returned +9.87% vs +17.57% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), ITA annualized +12.21% vs +9.42% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ITA or IVV?
ITA has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 15.2% for IVV. Worst drawdown: ITA -59.7% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both ITA and IVV?
ITA and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 ITA and IVV?
79.2% of ITA's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 2.4% of IVV's is in holdings ITA also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in ITA and 505 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, ITA or IVV?
ITA yields 0.47% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than ITA?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. ITA led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, IVV over 1Y. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 77.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.