IVV vs KF
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs The Korea Fund, Inc.
Which is better, IVV or KF?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
KF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 69.0%.
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 | KF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | - |
| AUM | $886.7B | $317M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 2.02% |
| Holdings | 508 | 52 |
| YTD Return | +13.39% | +76.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.08% | +153.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.29% | +48.02%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.88% | +19.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1%Best | 41.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -77.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,327 | $23,914Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.9%Best | 69.0% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | The Korea Fund, Inc. (KF) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Aug 29, 1984 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2000 to Sep 4, 2026 (26.3 years).
IVV vs KF 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IVV vs KF Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and The Korea Fund, Inc. (KF) is an ETF from The Korea Fund, Inc. (KF). Over the past year IVV returned +20.08% while KF returned +153.82%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.39% versus a gain of 76.09% for KF.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.29% per year against +48.02% for KF; over five years the annualized figures are +12.88% and +19.05% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, KF has the edge at +19.88% annualized vs +7.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 41.2% compared with 15.1% 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 -77.0% for KF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 505 holdings in IVV and 53 in KF, totalling 100.0% and 99.7% 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 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 53 in KF, against full books of 508 and 52.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 0 positions for KF that do not appear in our book for IVV (0.0% of the fund), and 497 for IVV that do not appear in KF (99.3%).
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 IVV and KF 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 performed better, IVV or KF?
Over the past year IVV returned +20.08% vs +153.82% for KF, so KF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IVV annualized +7.01% vs +19.88% for KF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or KF?
KF has been the more volatile fund at 41.2% annualized versus 15.1% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs KF -77.0%.
Should I hold both IVV and KF?
IVV and KF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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 KF?
IVV yields 1.10% while KF yields 2.02%, so KF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is KF better than IVV?
KF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 69.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.