IVV vs PDX
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund
Which is better, IVV or PDX?
Large Cap Blend against Short Term High Quality.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, PDX over 5Y.
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 | PDX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 3.29% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $1.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 19.22% |
| Holdings | 508 | 442 |
| YTD Return | +12.98% | +13.19%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.69%Best | +1.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.02%Best | +13.29% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.61% | +21.71%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3%Best | 39.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -83.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,927 | $26,707Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | PIMCO (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Short Term High Quality |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Feb 1, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2019 to Sep 28, 2026 (7.7 years).
IVV vs PDX 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 7.7 years both funds cover.
IVV vs PDX Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund (PDX) is an ETF from PIMCO (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.69% while PDX returned +1.61%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.98% versus a gain of 13.19% for PDX.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +23.02% per year against +13.29% for PDX; over five years the annualized figures are +13.61% and +21.71% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +15.88% annualized vs +6.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PDX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 39.4% compared with 16.3% 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 -33.9% for IVV and -83.0% for PDX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while PDX charges 3.29%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $329 annually, a gap of $326 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 19.22% for PDX.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 7 in PDX, totalling 99.3% and 20.8% 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 335 days apart, IVV as of Aug 31, 2026 and PDX as of Sep 30, 2025, 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 7 in PDX, against full books of 508 and 442.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and PDX 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 PDX?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while PDX charges 3.29%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $326 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or PDX?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.69% vs +1.61% for PDX, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), IVV annualized +15.88% vs +6.93% for PDX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or PDX?
PDX has been the more volatile fund at 39.4% annualized versus 16.3% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs PDX -83.0%.
Should I hold both IVV and PDX?
IVV and PDX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 PDX?
IVV yields 1.06% while PDX yields 19.22%, so PDX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PDX better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, PDX over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.