IVV vs PFXF
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF
Which is better, IVV or PFXF?
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 | PFXF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.40% |
| AUM | $886.7B | $2.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 6.64% |
| Holdings | 508 | 122 |
| YTD Return | +13.86%Best | +3.91% |
| 1Y Return | +21.57%Best | +8.40% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.48%Best | +8.93% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.88%Best | +3.08% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1% | 10.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -37.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,327Best | $11,638 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | VanEck |
| Category | Equity | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Preferred Stock |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jul 16, 2012 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 17, 2012 to Sep 3, 2026 (14.1 years).
IVV vs PFXF 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 PFXF Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) is an ETF from VanEck. Over the past year IVV returned +21.57% while PFXF returned +8.40%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.86% versus a gain of 3.91% for PFXF.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.48% per year against +8.93% for PFXF; over five years the annualized figures are +12.88% and +3.08% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +13.69% annualized vs +1.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 10.1% for PFXF. 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 -37.3% for PFXF. 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 PFXF charges 0.40%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $40 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 6.64% for PFXF.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.3% of IVV's money is in holdings PFXF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PFXF, our book for it covers 82.3% 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 PFXF share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 114 in PFXF, against full books of 508 and 122.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and PFXF 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 PFXF?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while PFXF charges 0.40%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or PFXF?
Over the past year IVV returned +21.57% vs +8.40% for PFXF, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), IVV annualized +13.69% vs +1.80% for PFXF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or PFXF?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 10.1% for PFXF. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs PFXF -37.3%.
Should I hold both IVV and PFXF?
IVV and PFXF 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 PFXF?
At least 3.3% of IVV's money is in holdings PFXF also owns. Our book for PFXF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 114 in PFXF.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or PFXF?
IVV yields 1.10% while PFXF yields 6.64%, so PFXF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PFXF 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.