IVV vs QUAL
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF
Which is better, IVV or QUAL?
Nearly the same fund. IVV costs less.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.6%.
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 | QUAL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.15% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $47.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.86% |
| Holdings | 508 | 130 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | +10.27% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +14.74% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38%Best | +18.35% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51%Best | +11.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,844Best | $17,203 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8%Best | 43.6% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jul 16, 2013 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 18, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (13.2 years).
IVV vs QUAL 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 13.2 years both funds cover.
IVV vs QUAL Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while QUAL returned +14.74%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 10.27% for QUAL.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.38% per year against +18.35% for QUAL; over five years the annualized figures are +13.51% and +11.46% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +12.79% annualized vs +12.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QUAL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 14.5% 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 -34.1% for QUAL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. 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 QUAL charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $15 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.86% for QUAL.
Holdings Overlap
48.5% of IVV's money is in holdings QUAL also owns. 98.8% of QUAL's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of QUAL is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
113 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 119 in QUAL, against full books of 508 and 130.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 5 positions for QUAL that do not appear in our book for IVV (1.1% of the fund), and 369 for IVV that do not appear in QUAL (50.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in QUAL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.07% | 6.39% | 1.68% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.02% | 6.76% | 0.26% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.69% | 7.75% | 2.06% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.90% | 3.76% | 1.86% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.38% | 3.66% | 2.28% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.00% | 1.94% | 1.06% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 0.95% | 3.25% | 2.30% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 0.57% | 3.56% | 2.99% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.39% | 1.52% | 0.87% |
| TJXTjx Cos Inc | 0.22% | 3.36% | 3.14% |
98.8% of QUAL is already inside IVV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or QUAL?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while QUAL charges 0.15%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or QUAL?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +14.74% for QUAL, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), IVV annualized +12.79% vs +12.40% for QUAL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or QUAL?
QUAL has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 14.5% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs QUAL -34.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and QUAL?
IVV and QUAL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between IVV and QUAL?
98.8% of QUAL's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 98.8% of QUAL's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 113 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 119 in QUAL.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or QUAL?
IVV yields 1.06% while QUAL yields 0.86%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QUAL better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.