IVV vs MEM
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF
Which is better, IVV or MEM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over the full window, MEM over 1Y and 3Y. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.8%.
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 | MEM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.79% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $55M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.89% |
| Holdings | 508 | 72 |
| YTD Return | +12.39% | +18.10%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.61% | +24.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | +21.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 17.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8%Best | -19.1% |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $21,453Best | $19,799 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8%Best | 51.8% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Matthews Asia Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jul 13, 2022 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.2 years).
IVV vs MEM 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 4.2 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MEM Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (MEM) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds. Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while MEM returned +24.74%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 18.10% for MEM.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.38% per year against +21.58% for MEM. Across the full 4-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +19.93% annualized vs +17.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 14.3% 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 -19.1% for MEM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MEM charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $79 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 2.89% for MEM.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of IVV's money is in holdings MEM also owns. 0.1% of MEM's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
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 65 in MEM, against full books of 508 and 72.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 5 positions for MEM that do not appear in our book for IVV (12.9% of the fund), and 481 for IVV that do not appear in MEM (98.5%).
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 MEM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 0.16% | 0.13% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MEM 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 MEM?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MEM charges 0.79%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MEM?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +24.74% for MEM, so MEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), IVV annualized +19.93% vs +17.66% for MEM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MEM?
MEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 14.3% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -18.8% vs MEM -19.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and MEM?
IVV and MEM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 MEM?
IVV yields 1.06% while MEM yields 2.89%, so MEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MEM better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over the full window, MEM over 1Y and 3Y. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.