IVV vs PFLD
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF
Which is better, IVV or PFLD?
Large Cap Blend against Preferred Stock.
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 | PFLD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $886.7B | $402M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 5.44% |
| Holdings | 508 | 324 |
| YTD Return | +13.39%Best | +2.87% |
| 1Y Return | +20.08%Best | +4.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.29%Best | +4.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.88%Best | +0.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.8% | 9.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9% | -33.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,327Best | $10,484 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Advisors Asset Management, Inc. |
| Category | Equity | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Preferred Stock |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Nov 19, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 20, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (6.8 years).
IVV vs PFLD 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 6.8 years both funds cover.
IVV vs PFLD Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFLD) is an ETF from Advisors Asset Management, Inc.. Over the past year IVV returned +20.08% while PFLD returned +4.77%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.39% versus a gain of 2.87% for PFLD.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.29% per year against +4.37% for PFLD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.88% and +0.95% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +15.59% annualized vs +1.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.8% compared with 9.1% for PFLD. 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 -33.5% for PFLD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while PFLD charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $45 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 5.44% for PFLD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 5.8% of IVV's money is in holdings PFLD also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PFLD, our book for it covers 71.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
IVV and PFLD share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 186 days apart, IVV as of Aug 5, 2026 and PFLD as of Jan 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
25 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 230 in PFLD, against full books of 508 and 324.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in PFLD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.45% | 1.28% | 0.17% |
| BACBank Of America Corp | 0.62% | 0.86% | 0.24% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 0.41% | 1.05% | 0.64% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 0.27% | 1.05% | 0.78% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 0.28% | 0.79% | 0.51% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.35% | 0.67% | 0.32% |
| TFCTruist Financial Corp. | 0.10% | 0.85% | 0.75% |
| STTState Street Corp. | 0.08% | 0.77% | 0.69% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 0.47% | 0.37% | 0.10% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 0.39% | 0.44% | 0.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and PFLD 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 PFLD?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while PFLD charges 0.45%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or PFLD?
Over the past year IVV returned +20.08% vs +4.77% for PFLD, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), IVV annualized +15.59% vs +1.27% for PFLD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or PFLD?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 9.1% for PFLD. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs PFLD -33.5%.
Should I hold both IVV and PFLD?
IVV and PFLD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IVV and PFLD?
At least 5.8% of IVV's money is in holdings PFLD also owns. Our book for PFLD is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 25 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 230 in PFLD.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or PFLD?
IVV yields 1.10% while PFLD yields 5.44%, so PFLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PFLD 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.