IVV vs QALT
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs SEI DBi Multi-Strategy Alternative ETF
Which is better, IVV or QALT?
Large Cap Blend against Multi Alternative.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y 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 | QALT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.80% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $195M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 5.98% |
| Holdings | 508 | 17 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | +5.30% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +9.12% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9% | 7.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9% | -4.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $12,097Best | $11,131 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | SEI EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Aug 25, 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 25, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.1 years).
IVV vs QALT 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 QALT Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and SEI DBi Multi-Strategy Alternative ETF (QALT) is an ETF from SEI EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS. Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while QALT returned +9.12%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 5.30% for QALT.
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 7.5% for QALT. 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 -4.8% for QALT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while QALT charges 0.80%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $80 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 5.98% for QALT.
Holdings Overlap
At least 8.3% of IVV's money is in holdings QALT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for QALT, our book for it covers 3.6% 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 QALT share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 3 in QALT, against full books of 508 and 17.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and QALT 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 QALT?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while QALT charges 0.80%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or QALT?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +9.12% for QALT, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), IVV annualized +18.89% vs +10.23% for QALT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or QALT?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 7.5% for QALT. Worst drawdown: IVV -8.9% vs QALT -4.8%.
Should I hold both IVV and QALT?
IVV and QALT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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 QALT?
At least 8.3% of IVV's money is in holdings QALT also owns. Our book for QALT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 3 in QALT.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or QALT?
IVV yields 1.06% while QALT yields 5.98%, so QALT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QALT better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.