IVV vs PMAU
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August
Which is better, IVV or PMAU?
Large Cap Blend against Option Writing.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | PMAU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $6M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | +4.41% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +5.90% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9% | 2.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9% | -1.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $12,354Best | $10,731 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Option Writing |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jul 31, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 1, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.1 years).
IVV vs PMAU 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
IVV vs PMAU Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - August (PMAU) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while PMAU returned +5.90%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 4.41% for PMAU.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 2.4% for PMAU. 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 -8.9% for IVV and -1.8% for PMAU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while PMAU charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $50 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.00% for PMAU.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and PMAU 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 PMAU?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while PMAU charges 0.50%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or PMAU?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +5.90% for PMAU, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), IVV annualized +21.19% vs +6.62% for PMAU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or PMAU?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 2.4% for PMAU. Worst drawdown: IVV -8.9% vs PMAU -1.8%.
Should I hold both IVV and PMAU?
IVV and PMAU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or PMAU?
IVV yields 1.06% while PMAU yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PMAU better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.