IVV vs NSCS
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Nuveen Small Cap Select ETF
Which is better, IVV or NSCS?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y 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 | NSCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.86% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $7M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.31% |
| Holdings | 508 | 82 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.8%Best | 20.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5%Best | -30.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $14,435Best | $10,688 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Nuveen |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Aug 4, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 444 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 10, 2026 and NSCS through Jun 23, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 5, 2021 to Jun 23, 2025 (3.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NSCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.8% compared with 16.8% 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 -24.5% for IVV and -30.6% for NSCS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while NSCS charges 0.86%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $86 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.31% for NSCS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and NSCS 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 NSCS?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while NSCS charges 0.86%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IVV or NSCS?
NSCS has been the more volatile fund at 20.8% annualized versus 16.8% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -24.5% vs NSCS -30.6%.
Should I hold both IVV and NSCS?
IVV and NSCS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 NSCS?
IVV yields 1.06% while NSCS yields 0.31%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NSCS better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.