IVV vs MUS
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund, Inc.
Which is better, IVV or MUS?
Large Cap Blend against Municipal Bond.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, MUS over 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 | MUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 1.50% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $181M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.78% |
| Holdings | 508 | 233 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 12.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -41.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 20.8 years | $27,371 | $55,305Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | BlackRock, Inc. (US) |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | May 1, 1998 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 2023 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IVV has data through Sep 18, 2026 and MUS through Mar 5, 2021.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 20.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2000 to Mar 5, 2021 (20.8 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 12.3% for MUS. 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 -41.3% for MUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.07. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MUS charges 1.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $150 annually, a gap of $147 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.78% for MUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MUS 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 MUS?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MUS charges 1.50%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $147 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IVV or MUS?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 12.3% for MUS. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs MUS -41.3%.
Should I hold both IVV and MUS?
IVV and MUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.07, 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 MUS?
IVV yields 1.06% while MUS yields 0.78%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MUS better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, MUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.