IVV vs MDEV
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF
Which is better, IVV or MDEV?
Large Cap Blend against All Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDEV is less concentrated, with 25.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%.
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 | MDEV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.70% |
| AUM | $886.7B | $3M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 0.11% |
| Holdings | 508 | 53 |
| YTD Return | +13.39%Best | -0.14% |
| 1Y Return | +20.08%Best | +2.39% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.29%Best | +2.85% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.88%Best | -5.65% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 19.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5%Best | -42.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,327Best | $7,477 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.9% | 25.4%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | All Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 22, 2021 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.2 years).
IVV vs MDEV 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 5.2 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MDEV Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year IVV returned +20.08% while MDEV returned +2.39%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.39% versus a loss of 0.14% for MDEV.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.29% per year against +2.85% for MDEV; over five years the annualized figures are +12.88% and -5.65% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MDEV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.3% compared with 15.6% 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 -24.5% for IVV and -42.3% for MDEV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MDEV charges 0.70%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $70 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 0.11% for MDEV.
Holdings Overlap
2.1% of IVV's money is in holdings MDEV also owns. 47.5% of MDEV's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
24 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 50 in MDEV, against full books of 508 and 53.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 7 positions for MDEV that do not appear in our book for IVV (14.2% of the fund), and 470 for IVV that do not appear in MDEV (97.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in MDEV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAXBaxter International, Inc. | 0.02% | 3.04% | 3.02% |
| WSTWest Pharmaceutical Services | 0.04% | 2.59% | 2.55% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 0.32% | 2.20% | 1.88% |
| DXCMDexcom Inc. | 0.05% | 2.46% | 2.41% |
| RVTYRevvity Inc | 0.02% | 2.44% | 2.42% |
| WATWaters Corp. | 0.06% | 2.38% | 2.32% |
| AAgilent Technologies Inc | 0.06% | 2.34% | 2.28% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.28% | 2.01% | 1.73% |
| EWEdwards Lifesciences Corp | 0.08% | 2.17% | 2.09% |
| DHRDanaher Corporation | 0.19% | 2.00% | 1.81% |
47.5% of MDEV is already inside IVV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or MDEV?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MDEV charges 0.70%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MDEV?
Over the past year IVV returned +20.08% vs +2.39% for MDEV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MDEV?
MDEV has been the more volatile fund at 19.3% annualized versus 15.6% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -24.5% vs MDEV -42.3%.
Should I hold both IVV and MDEV?
IVV and MDEV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IVV and MDEV?
47.5% of MDEV's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 47.5% of MDEV's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 50 in MDEV.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or MDEV?
IVV yields 1.10% while MDEV yields 0.11%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MDEV better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDEV is less concentrated, with 25.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.