IVV vs RFCI
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs ALPS Dynamic Core Income ETF
Which is better, IVV or RFCI?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | RFCI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.51% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $15M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 4.62% |
| Holdings | 508 | 47 |
| YTD Return | +14.14%Best | -0.94% |
| 1Y Return | +17.30%Best | -0.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.04%Best | +4.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.63%Best | +1.06% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 4.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9% | -13.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,944Best | $10,541 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | ALPS Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | - |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 13, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 17, 2016 to Sep 22, 2026 (10.3 years).
IVV vs RFCI 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IVV vs RFCI Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and ALPS Dynamic Core Income ETF (RFCI) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors. Over the past year IVV returned +17.30% while RFCI returned -0.42%. Year to date, IVV is up 14.14% versus a loss of 0.94% for RFCI.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +23.04% per year against +4.87% for RFCI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.63% and +1.06% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.55% annualized vs +0.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 4.3% for RFCI. 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 -13.2% for RFCI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while RFCI charges 0.51%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $51 annually, a gap of $48 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 4.62% for RFCI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 37 in RFCI, totalling 99.3% and 85.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 37 in RFCI, against full books of 508 and 47.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and RFCI 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 RFCI?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while RFCI charges 0.51%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $48 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or RFCI?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.30% vs -0.42% for RFCI, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), IVV annualized +14.55% vs +0.95% for RFCI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or RFCI?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 4.3% for RFCI. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs RFCI -13.2%.
Should I hold both IVV and RFCI?
IVV and RFCI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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 RFCI?
IVV yields 1.06% while RFCI yields 4.62%, so RFCI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFCI better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.