IVV vs KBUF
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF
Which is better, IVV or KBUF?
Large Cap Blend against Option Writing.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y 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 | IVV | KBUF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.97% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $6M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 8.85% |
| Holdings | 508 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | -18.01% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | -20.03% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8%Best | -21.6% |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $15,788Best | $11,542 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | KraneShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Option Writing |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Feb 8, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.6 years).
IVV vs KBUF 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
IVV vs KBUF Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and KraneShares 90% KWEB Defined Outcome January 2026 ETF (KBUF) is an ETF from KraneShares. Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while KBUF returned -20.03%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a loss of 18.01% for KBUF.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KBUF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 12.0% 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 -18.8% for IVV and -21.6% for KBUF. 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
IVV charges 0.03% per year while KBUF charges 0.97%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $97 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 8.85% for KBUF.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 1 in KBUF, totalling 99.3% and 90.4% 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 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 1 in KBUF, against full books of 508 and 4.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and KBUF 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, IVV or KBUF?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while KBUF charges 0.97%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or KBUF?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs -20.03% for KBUF, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or KBUF?
KBUF has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 12.0% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -18.8% vs KBUF -21.6%.
Should I hold both IVV and KBUF?
IVV and KBUF 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, IVV or KBUF?
IVV yields 1.06% while KBUF yields 8.85%, so KBUF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is KBUF better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.