IVV vs RFDA
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Which is better, IVV or RFDA?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. RFDA is less concentrated, with 30.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.9%.
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 | RFDA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.52% |
| AUM | $896.5B | $77M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 2.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 77 |
| YTD Return | +13.59% | +14.73%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.54%Best | +16.68% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.46%Best | +20.07% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.28%Best | +12.87% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -34.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,654Best | $18,319 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.9% | 30.6%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | ALPS Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 6, 2016 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 7, 2016 to Oct 14, 2026 (10.4 years).
IVV vs RFDA 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 10.4 years both funds cover.
IVV vs RFDA Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors. Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% while RFDA returned +16.68%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.59% versus a gain of 14.73% for RFDA.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +22.46% per year against +20.07% for RFDA; over five years the annualized figures are +13.28% and +12.87% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.15% annualized vs +12.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 15.1% for RFDA. 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 -34.8% for RFDA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. 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 RFDA charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $52 annually, a gap of $49 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 2.00% for RFDA.
Holdings Overlap
38.8% of IVV's money is in holdings RFDA also owns. 81.0% of RFDA's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of RFDA is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
60 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 75 in RFDA, against full books of 508 and 77.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 12 positions for RFDA that do not appear in our book for IVV (15.5% of the fund), and 440 for IVV that do not appear in RFDA (60.7%).
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 RFDA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 8.44% | 3.52% | 4.92% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.29% | 2.07% | 5.22% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.76% | 2.68% | 3.08% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 1.34% | 2.96% | 1.62% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.94% | 3.15% | 2.21% |
| GOOGAlphabet, Inc.- Cl C | 2.41% | 1.58% | 0.83% |
| UNHUnited Healthcare Corp. | 0.50% | 2.76% | 2.26% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.02% | 2.06% | 1.04% |
| KOCoca-Cola Co/The | 0.50% | 2.53% | 2.03% |
| CCitigroup, Inc. | 0.32% | 2.58% | 2.26% |
81.0% of RFDA 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 RFDA?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while RFDA charges 0.52%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $49 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or RFDA?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% vs +16.68% for RFDA, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), IVV annualized +14.15% vs +12.11% for RFDA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or RFDA?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 15.1% for RFDA. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs RFDA -34.8%.
Should I hold both IVV and RFDA?
IVV and RFDA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 RFDA?
81.0% of RFDA's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 81.0% of RFDA's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 60 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 75 in RFDA.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or RFDA?
IVV yields 1.10% while RFDA yields 2.00%, so RFDA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFDA 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 0.95. RFDA is less concentrated, with 30.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.