IVV vs KTF
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs DWS Municipal Income Trust
Which is better, IVV or KTF?
Large Cap Blend against Municipal Bond.
IVV 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 | IVV | KTF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | - |
| AUM | $876.4B | $343M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 8.66% |
| Holdings | 508 | 232 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | -1.91% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | -0.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38%Best | +8.66% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51%Best | -1.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 12.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -55.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,844Best | $9,263 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | DWS |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Oct 20, 1988 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2000 to Sep 18, 2026 (26.3 years).
IVV vs KTF 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 26.3 years both funds cover.
IVV vs KTF Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and DWS Municipal Income Trust (KTF) is an ETF from DWS. Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while KTF returned -0.86%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a loss of 1.91% for KTF.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.38% per year against +8.66% for KTF; over five years the annualized figures are +13.51% and -1.52% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +6.96% annualized vs +0.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 12.6% for KTF. 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 -55.1% for KTF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.20. They move largely independently of each other.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 111 in KTF, totalling 99.3% and 70.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 92 days apart, IVV as of Aug 31, 2026 and KTF as of May 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 111 in KTF, against full books of 508 and 232.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and KTF 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 KTF?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs -0.86% for KTF, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IVV annualized +6.96% vs +0.36% for KTF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or KTF?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 12.6% for KTF. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs KTF -55.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and KTF?
IVV and KTF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.20, 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 KTF?
IVV yields 1.06% while KTF yields 8.66%, so KTF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is KTF better than IVV?
IVV 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.