IVV vs MUA
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc
Which is better, IVV or MUA?
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 | MUA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 2.48% |
| AUM | $882.6B | $661M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 6.23% |
| Holdings | 508 | 561 |
| YTD Return | +13.60%Best | -6.49% |
| 1Y Return | +16.32%Best | -8.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.81%Best | +8.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.03%Best | -3.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -46.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,279Best | $8,534 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | BlackRock, Inc. (US) |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 25, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2000 to Oct 2, 2026 (26.4 years).
IVV vs MUA 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 26.4 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MUA Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc (MUA) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.32% while MUA returned -8.63%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.60% versus a loss of 6.49% for MUA.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +23.81% per year against +8.81% for MUA; over five years the annualized figures are +14.03% and -3.12% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs +0.76%.
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 13.9% for MUA. 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 -46.6% for MUA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MUA charges 2.48%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $248 annually, a gap of $245 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 6.23% for MUA.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 505 holdings in IVV and 196 in MUA, totalling 99.9% and 58.5% 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 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 196 in MUA, against full books of 508 and 561.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MUA 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 MUA?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MUA charges 2.48%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $245 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MUA?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.32% vs -8.63% for MUA, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IVV annualized +7.00% vs +0.76% for MUA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MUA?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 13.9% for MUA. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs MUA -46.6%.
Should I hold both IVV and MUA?
IVV and MUA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.21, 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 MUA?
IVV yields 1.06% while MUA yields 6.23%, so MUA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MUA 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.