IVV vs PHYS
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Sprott Physical Gold Trust
Which is better, IVV or PHYS?
Large Cap Blend against Gold.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window, PHYS over 3Y and 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 | PHYS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.40% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $16.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 3 |
| YTD Return | +12.27%Best | -0.97% |
| 1Y Return | +17.04%Best | +16.47% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.24% | +29.66%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.08% | +18.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 17.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -48.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,490 | $23,743Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Sprott Asset Management LP |
| Category | Equity | Commodity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Gold |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Feb 25, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 26, 2010 to Sep 17, 2026 (16.6 years).
IVV vs PHYS 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 16.6 years both funds cover.
IVV vs PHYS Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) is an ETF from Sprott Asset Management LP. Over the past year IVV returned +17.04% while PHYS returned +16.47%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.27% versus a loss of 0.97% for PHYS.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.24% per year against +29.66% for PHYS; over five years the annualized figures are +13.08% and +18.88% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +12.90% annualized vs +7.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PHYS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 14.4% 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 -48.2% for PHYS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while PHYS 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 1.06% against 0.00% for PHYS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and PHYS 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 PHYS?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while PHYS charges 0.40%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or PHYS?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.04% vs +16.47% for PHYS, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), IVV annualized +12.90% vs +7.71% for PHYS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or PHYS?
PHYS has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 14.4% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs PHYS -48.2%.
Should I hold both IVV and PHYS?
IVV and PHYS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.05, 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 PHYS?
IVV yields 1.06% while PHYS yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PHYS better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window, PHYS over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.