IVV vs NEA
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund
Which is better, IVV or NEA?
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 | NEA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 3.53% |
| AUM | $876.4B | - |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 7.38% |
| Holdings | 508 | 1,108 |
| YTD Return | +11.57%Best | -2.84% |
| 1Y Return | +17.57%Best | +1.95% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.71%Best | +9.04% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.80%Best | -1.79% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -48.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,262Best | $9,136 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Nuveen |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Nov 21, 2002 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 22, 2002 to Sep 10, 2026 (23.8 years).
IVV vs NEA 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IVV vs NEA Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NEA) is an ETF from Nuveen. Over the past year IVV returned +17.57% while NEA returned +1.95%. Year to date, IVV is up 11.57% versus a loss of 2.84% for NEA.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +20.71% per year against +9.04% for NEA; over five years the annualized figures are +12.80% and -1.79% respectively. Across the full 24-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.56% annualized vs -0.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 13.1% for NEA. 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 -48.1% for NEA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.24. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while NEA charges 3.53%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $353 annually, a gap of $350 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 7.38% for NEA.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and NEA 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 NEA?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while NEA charges 3.53%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $350 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or NEA?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.57% vs +1.95% for NEA, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (24 years), IVV annualized +9.56% vs -0.04% for NEA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or NEA?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 13.1% for NEA. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs NEA -48.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and NEA?
IVV and NEA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.24, 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 NEA?
IVV yields 1.06% while NEA yields 7.38%, so NEA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NEA 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.