IVV vs LMBS
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs First Trust Low Duration Opportunities ETF
Which is better, IVV or LMBS?
Large Cap Blend against Short Term Government Bond.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. 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 | LMBS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.66% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $6.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 4.13% |
| Holdings | 508 | 1,249 |
| YTD Return | +12.51%Best | +1.14% |
| 1Y Return | +17.57%Best | +2.36% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.27%Best | +5.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.95%Best | +2.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 2.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9% | -8.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,384Best | $11,565 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Short Term Government Bond |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Nov 4, 2014 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 5, 2014 to Sep 11, 2026 (11.8 years).
IVV vs LMBS 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 LMBS Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and First Trust Low Duration Opportunities ETF (LMBS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year IVV returned +17.57% while LMBS returned +2.36%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.51% versus a gain of 1.14% for LMBS.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.27% per year against +5.40% for LMBS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.95% and +2.95% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +12.58% annualized vs +1.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 2.2% for LMBS. 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 -33.9% for IVV and -8.5% for LMBS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.41. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while LMBS charges 0.66%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $66 annually, a gap of $63 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 4.13% for LMBS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 505 holdings in IVV and 740 in LMBS, totalling 100.0% and 71.3% 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 740 in LMBS, against full books of 508 and 1,249.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and LMBS 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 LMBS?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while LMBS charges 0.66%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $63 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or LMBS?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.57% vs +2.36% for LMBS, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), IVV annualized +12.58% vs +1.44% for LMBS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or LMBS?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 2.2% for LMBS. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs LMBS -8.5%.
Should I hold both IVV and LMBS?
IVV and LMBS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.41, 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 LMBS?
IVV yields 1.06% while LMBS yields 4.13%, so LMBS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is LMBS better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. 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.