IVV vs RB
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Buffer ETF
Which is better, IVV or RB?
IVV has been ahead.
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 | RB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.58% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $1M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.27% |
| Holdings | 508 | 1,963 |
| YTD Return | +12.24%Best | +6.85% |
| 1Y Return | +18.61%Best | +14.49% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.98% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.76% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0% | 3.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9% | -2.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,599Best | $11,663 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | - |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 24, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Sep 9, 2026 (1.2 years).
IVV vs RB 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
IVV vs RB Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Buffer ETF (RB) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year IVV returned +18.61% while RB returned +14.49%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.24% versus a gain of 6.85% for RB.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.0% compared with 3.2% for RB. 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 -2.1% for RB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.36. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while RB charges 0.58%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $58 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 2.27% for RB.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.2% of IVV's money is in holdings RB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for RB, our book for it covers 86.4% 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 RB share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 1,949 in RB, against full books of 508 and 1,963.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and RB 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 RB?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while RB charges 0.58%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or RB?
Over the past year IVV returned +18.61% vs +14.49% for RB, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), IVV annualized +21.23% vs +13.68% for RB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or RB?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 12.0% annualized versus 3.2% for RB. Worst drawdown: IVV -8.9% vs RB -2.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and RB?
IVV and RB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.36, 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 RB?
At least 2.2% of IVV's money is in holdings RB also owns. Our book for RB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 1,949 in RB.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or RB?
IVV yields 1.06% while RB yields 2.27%, so RB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RB 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.