IVV vs MLPB
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B
Which is better, IVV or MLPB?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Growth.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y and the full window, MLPB over 1Y and 5Y. MLPB is less concentrated, with 35.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.8%.
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 | MLPB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $850.0B | $210M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 5.83% |
| Holdings | 1,018 | 41 |
| YTD Return | +8.54% | +14.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.97% | +18.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.51%Best | +16.23% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.97% | +18.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 30.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -77.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,828 | $23,288Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.8% | 35.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | UBS AG |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Oct 9, 2015 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 9, 2015 to Nov 6, 2026 (11.1 years).
IVV vs MLPB 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MLPB Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) is an ETF from UBS AG. Over the past year IVV returned +10.97% while MLPB returned +18.59%. Year to date, IVV is up 8.54% versus a gain of 14.71% for MLPB.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +20.51% per year against +16.23% for MLPB; over five years the annualized figures are +10.97% and +18.42% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +13.20% annualized vs +2.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLPB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% compared with 15.0% 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 -33.9% for IVV and -77.6% for MLPB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MLPB charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $85 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.09% against 5.83% for MLPB.
Holdings Overlap
37.8% of IVV's money is in holdings MLPB also owns. 77.0% of MLPB's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of MLPB is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
31 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 40 in MLPB, against full books of 1,018 and 41.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 3 positions for MLPB that do not appear in our book for IVV (8.3% of the fund), and 468 for IVV that do not appear in MLPB (61.7%).
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 MLPB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple Inc | 7.51% | 2.86% | 4.65% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.95% | 2.49% | 3.46% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.74% | 2.73% | 1.01% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.47% | 3.86% | 1.39% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.45% | 3.79% | 1.34% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.44% | 2.54% | 0.10% |
| AMATApplied Material | 0.53% | 4.25% | 3.72% |
| CATCaterpillar Inc | 0.52% | 3.85% | 3.33% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.34% | 2.96% | 1.62% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co | 1.45% | 2.64% | 1.19% |
77.0% of MLPB 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 MLPB?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MLPB charges 0.85%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MLPB?
Over the past year IVV returned +10.97% vs +18.59% for MLPB, so MLPB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), IVV annualized +13.20% vs +2.44% for MLPB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MLPB?
MLPB has been the more volatile fund at 30.6% annualized versus 15.0% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs MLPB -77.6%.
Should I hold both IVV and MLPB?
IVV and MLPB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 MLPB?
77.0% of MLPB's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 77.0% of MLPB's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 31 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 40 in MLPB.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or MLPB?
IVV yields 1.09% while MLPB yields 5.83%, so MLPB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MLPB better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y and the full window, MLPB over 1Y and 5Y. MLPB is less concentrated, with 35.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.