IVV vs NKX
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund
Which is better, IVV or NKX?
Large Cap Blend against Municipal California.
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 | NKX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 4.02% |
| AUM | $876.4B | - |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 7.75% |
| Holdings | 508 | 214 |
| YTD Return | +12.27%Best | -3.05% |
| 1Y Return | +17.04%Best | -1.38% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.24%Best | +9.39% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.08%Best | -1.45% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 13.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -49.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,490Best | $9,296 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Nuveen |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Municipal California |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Nov 22, 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 17, 2026 (23.8 years).
IVV vs NKX 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 NKX Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NKX) is an ETF from Nuveen. Over the past year IVV returned +17.04% while NKX returned -1.38%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.27% versus a loss of 3.05% for NKX.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.24% per year against +9.39% for NKX; over five years the annualized figures are +13.08% and -1.45% respectively. Across the full 24-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.58% annualized vs +0.21%.
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 13.5% for NKX. 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 -49.0% for NKX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.28. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while NKX charges 4.02%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $402 annually, a gap of $399 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 7.75% for NKX.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 1 in NKX, totalling 99.3% and 0.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 92 days apart, IVV as of Aug 31, 2026 and NKX as of May 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 1 in NKX, against full books of 508 and 214.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and NKX 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 NKX?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while NKX charges 4.02%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $399 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or NKX?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.04% vs -1.38% for NKX, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (24 years), IVV annualized +9.58% vs +0.21% for NKX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or NKX?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 13.5% for NKX. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs NKX -49.0%.
Should I hold both IVV and NKX?
IVV and NKX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.28, 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 NKX?
IVV yields 1.06% while NKX yields 7.75%, so NKX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NKX 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.