IVV vs IWS
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs iShares Russell Mid-cap Value ETF
Which is better, IVV or IWS?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Value.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y and 5Y, IWS over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. IWS is less concentrated, with 6.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | IVV | IWS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.23% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $15.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.30% |
| Holdings | 508 | 724 |
| YTD Return | +11.51% | +17.19%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.96% | +21.13%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.01%Best | +17.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.66%Best | +9.15% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 17.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -63.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,149Best | $15,492 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8% | 6.4%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Value |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jul 17, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 24, 2001 to Sep 15, 2026 (25.1 years).
IVV vs IWS 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 25.1 years both funds cover.
IVV vs IWS Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Russell Mid-cap Value ETF (IWS) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IVV returned +15.96% while IWS returned +21.13%. Year to date, IVV is up 11.51% versus a gain of 17.19% for IWS.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.01% per year against +17.20% for IWS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.66% and +9.15% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, IWS has the edge at +8.12% annualized vs +8.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% 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 -56.5% for IVV and -63.9% for IWS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while IWS charges 0.23%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $23 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 1.30% for IWS.
Holdings Overlap
10.9% of IVV's money is in holdings IWS also owns. 62.1% of IWS's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
255 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 687 in IWS, against full books of 508 and 724.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 405 positions for IWS that do not appear in our book for IVV (33.0% of the fund), and 229 for IVV that do not appear in IWS (87.7%).
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 IVV | Weight in IWS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.15% | 0.89% | 0.74% |
| WBDWarner Bros. Discovery, Inc | 0.11% | 0.66% | 0.55% |
| HPEHewlett Packard Enterprise Co | 0.10% | 0.66% | 0.56% |
| ALLAllstate Corp. | 0.10% | 0.64% | 0.54% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 0.10% | 0.64% | 0.54% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 0.10% | 0.60% | 0.50% |
| BKRBaker Hughes Co | 0.10% | 0.60% | 0.50% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.16% | 0.52% | 0.36% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 0.09% | 0.58% | 0.49% |
| CTVACorteva Inc Ctva | 0.09% | 0.55% | 0.46% |
62.1% of IWS 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, IVV or IWS?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while IWS charges 0.23%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or IWS?
Over the past year IVV returned +15.96% vs +21.13% for IWS, so IWS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IVV annualized +8.03% vs +8.12% for IWS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or IWS?
IWS has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 15.0% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs IWS -63.9%.
Should I hold both IVV and IWS?
IVV and IWS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IVV and IWS?
62.1% of IWS's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 62.1% of IWS's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 255 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 687 in IWS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or IWS?
IVV yields 1.06% while IWS yields 1.30%, so IWS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IWS better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y and 5Y, IWS over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. IWS is less concentrated, with 6.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.