IVV vs MFM
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs MFS Municipal Income Trust
Which is better, IVV or MFM?
Large Cap Blend against Municipal Bond.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | MFM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 1.45% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $250M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 5.66% |
| Holdings | 508 | 840 |
| YTD Return | +12.51%Best | +0.26% |
| 1Y Return | +17.57%Best | +2.06% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.27%Best | +7.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.95%Best | -1.58% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -59.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,384Best | $9,235 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | MFS Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Nov 25, 1986 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2000 to Sep 11, 2026 (26.3 years).
IVV vs MFM 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 26.3 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MFM Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and MFS Municipal Income Trust (MFM) is an ETF from MFS Investment Management. Over the past year IVV returned +17.57% while MFM returned +2.06%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.51% versus a gain of 0.26% for MFM.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.27% per year against +7.44% for MFM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.95% and -1.58% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +6.97% annualized vs -0.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.6% for MFM. 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 -56.5% for IVV and -59.3% for MFM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.30. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MFM charges 1.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $145 annually, a gap of $142 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 5.66% for MFM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 505 holdings in IVV and 263 in MFM, totalling 100.0% and 55.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 186 days apart, IVV as of Aug 5, 2026 and MFM as of Jan 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 263 in MFM, against full books of 508 and 840.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MFM 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 MFM?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MFM charges 1.45%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $142 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MFM?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.57% vs +2.06% for MFM, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IVV annualized +6.97% vs -0.16% for MFM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MFM?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.6% for MFM. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs MFM -59.3%.
Should I hold both IVV and MFM?
IVV and MFM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.30, 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 MFM?
IVV yields 1.06% while MFM yields 5.66%, so MFM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MFM better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.