IVV vs LAYS

IVV vs LAYS

Which is better, IVV or LAYS?

Large Cap Blend against Multi Alternative.

IVV has a lower expense ratio. LAYS led over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: IVVHigher Returns: LAYS

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

MetricIVVLAYS
Expense Ratio0.03%Best1.29%
AUM$876.4B$6M
Dividend Yield1.06%15.43%
Holdings5085
Volatility (annualized)12.2%Best115.8%
Max Drawdown-13.7%Best-47.2%
$10,000 over 1.1 years$12,481$38,035Best
Fund FamilyiShares by BlackRock (US)Quantify Funds
CategoryEquityAlternative
StyleLarge Cap BlendMulti Alternative
InceptionMay 15, 2000Mar 5, 2025

Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.

The two price series end 140 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IVV has data through Sep 10, 2026 and LAYS through Apr 23, 2026.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 6, 2025 to Apr 23, 2026 (1.1 years).

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

LAYS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 115.8% compared with 12.2% 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 -13.7% for IVV and -47.2% for LAYS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

IVV charges 0.03% per year while LAYS charges 1.29%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $129 annually, a gap of $126 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 15.43% for LAYS.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 505 holdings in IVV and 2 in LAYS, totalling 100.0% and 8.1% 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 217 days apart, IVV as of Aug 5, 2026 and LAYS as of Dec 31, 2025, 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 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 2 in LAYS, against full books of 508 and 5.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of IVV and LAYS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

IVVLAYS

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, IVV or LAYS?

IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while LAYS charges 1.29%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $126 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which is riskier, IVV or LAYS?

LAYS has been the more volatile fund at 115.8% annualized versus 12.2% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -13.7% vs LAYS -47.2%.

Should I hold both IVV and LAYS?

IVV and LAYS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 LAYS?

IVV yields 1.06% while LAYS yields 15.43%, so LAYS currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is LAYS better than IVV?

IVV has a lower expense ratio. LAYS 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.