IVV vs MAXJ
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF
Which is better, IVV or MAXJ?
IVV has been ahead.
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 | MAXJ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $163M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.73% |
| Holdings | 508 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | +4.35% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +5.13% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 4.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -6.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $14,315Best | $11,756 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 28, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.2 years).
IVV vs MAXJ 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MAXJ Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while MAXJ returned +5.13%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 4.35% for MAXJ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 4.2% for MAXJ. 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 -6.3% for MAXJ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MAXJ charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $50 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.73% for MAXJ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of IVV's money is in holdings MAXJ also owns.
Stated as a floor: for MAXJ, our book for it covers 100.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 3 in MAXJ, against full books of 508 and 6.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in MAXJ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 0.15% | 0.33% | 0.18% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MAXJ 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 MAXJ?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MAXJ charges 0.50%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MAXJ?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +5.13% for MAXJ, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), IVV annualized +17.71% vs +7.63% for MAXJ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MAXJ?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 4.2% for MAXJ. Worst drawdown: IVV -18.8% vs MAXJ -6.3%.
Should I hold both IVV and MAXJ?
IVV and MAXJ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 MAXJ?
IVV yields 1.06% while MAXJ yields 0.73%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MAXJ 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.