IVV vs MARO
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF
Which is better, IVV or MARO?
Large Cap Blend against Multi Alternative.
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 | MARO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 1.00% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $39M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 213.90% |
| Holdings | 508 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | +4.80% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | -42.71% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 52.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8%Best | -71.8% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $12,992Best | $4,605 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Dec 9, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 10, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.8 years).
IVV vs MARO 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MARO Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF (MARO) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while MARO returned -42.71%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 4.80% for MARO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MARO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 52.1% compared with 12.6% 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 -71.8% for MARO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MARO charges 1.00%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $100 annually, a gap of $97 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 213.90% for MARO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MARO 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 MARO?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MARO charges 1.00%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $97 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MARO?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs -42.71% for MARO, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), IVV annualized +15.65% vs -35.00% for MARO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MARO?
MARO has been the more volatile fund at 52.1% annualized versus 12.6% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -18.8% vs MARO -71.8%.
Should I hold both IVV and MARO?
IVV and MARO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 MARO?
IVV yields 1.06% while MARO yields 213.90%, so MARO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MARO 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.