IVV vs MEMS
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF
Which is better, IVV or MEMS?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. MEMS is less concentrated, with 29.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | MEMS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.89% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $22M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.31% |
| Holdings | 508 | 88 |
| YTD Return | +12.39% | +18.31%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +12.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0%Best | 16.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8%Best | -21.2% |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $16,589Best | $12,664 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8% | 29.2%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Matthews Asia Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jan 10, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 11, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.7 years).
IVV vs MEMS 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MEMS Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF (MEMS) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds. Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while MEMS returned +12.77%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 18.31% for MEMS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MEMS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 12.0% 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 -21.2% for MEMS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MEMS charges 0.89%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $89 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 2.31% for MEMS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 83 in MEMS, totalling 99.3% and 99.9% 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 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 83 in MEMS, against full books of 508 and 88.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 6 positions for MEMS that do not appear in our book for IVV (13.8% of the fund), and 482 for IVV that do not appear in MEMS (98.6%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MEMS 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 MEMS?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MEMS charges 0.89%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MEMS?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +12.77% for MEMS, 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 MEMS?
MEMS has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 12.0% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -18.8% vs MEMS -21.2%.
Should I hold both IVV and MEMS?
IVV and MEMS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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 MEMS?
IVV yields 1.06% while MEMS yields 2.31%, so MEMS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MEMS better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. MEMS is less concentrated, with 29.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.