IVV vs MLPI
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs NEOS MLP & Energy Infrastructure High Income ETF
Which is better, IVV or MLPI?
Large Cap Blend against Option Writing.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.8%.
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 | MLPI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.68% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $936M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 10.92% |
| Holdings | 508 | 27 |
| YTD Return | +14.15%Best | +4.35% |
| 1Y Return | +17.31%Best | +5.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.17% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.85% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 110.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -81.4% |
| $10,000 over 16.5 years | $71,378Best | $36,763 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8%Best | 62.8% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | NEOS |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Option Writing |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Dec 18, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 16.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2010 to Sep 21, 2026 (16.5 years).
IVV vs MLPI 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 16.5 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MLPI Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and NEOS MLP & Energy Infrastructure High Income ETF (MLPI) is an ETF from NEOS. Over the past year IVV returned +17.31% while MLPI returned +5.82%. Year to date, IVV is up 14.15% versus a gain of 4.35% for MLPI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLPI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 110.9% compared with 14.5% 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 -81.4% for MLPI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.13. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MLPI charges 0.68%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $68 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 10.92% for MLPI.
Holdings Overlap
0.4% of IVV's money is in holdings MLPI also owns. 27.7% of MLPI's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
MLPI and IVV share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 24 in MLPI, against full books of 508 and 27.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 16 positions for MLPI that do not appear in our book for IVV (50.0% of the fund), and 478 for IVV that do not appear in MLPI (98.2%).
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.
27.7% of MLPI 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 MLPI?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MLPI charges 0.68%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MLPI?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.31% vs +5.82% for MLPI, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), IVV annualized +12.65% vs +8.21% for MLPI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MLPI?
MLPI has been the more volatile fund at 110.9% annualized versus 14.5% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs MLPI -81.4%.
Should I hold both IVV and MLPI?
IVV and MLPI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.13, 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 MLPI?
27.7% of MLPI's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 27.7% of MLPI's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 24 in MLPI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or MLPI?
IVV yields 1.06% while MLPI yields 10.92%, so MLPI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MLPI better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.