IVV vs RTH
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs VanEck Retail ETF
Which is better, IVV or RTH?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, RTH over the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 70.0%.
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 | RTH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $253M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.92% |
| Holdings | 508 | 26 |
| YTD Return | +13.23%Best | +1.31% |
| 1Y Return | +17.38%Best | +2.10% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.67%Best | +15.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.13%Best | +8.02% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -42.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,531Best | $14,707 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8%Best | 70.0% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | VanEck |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Dec 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2001 to Sep 24, 2026 (25.4 years).
IVV vs RTH 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 25.4 years both funds cover.
IVV vs RTH Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) is an ETF from VanEck. Over the past year IVV returned +17.38% while RTH returned +2.10%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.23% versus a gain of 1.31% for RTH.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +22.67% per year against +15.03% for RTH; over five years the annualized figures are +13.13% and +8.02% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, RTH has the edge at +9.52% annualized vs +7.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RTH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 14.9% 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 -56.5% for IVV and -42.4% for RTH. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while RTH charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $35 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.92% for RTH.
Holdings Overlap
7.4% of IVV's money is in holdings RTH also owns. 97.7% of RTH's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of RTH is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
24 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 25 in RTH, against full books of 508 and 26.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 490 and 25 positions we hold weights for.
IVV holds 458 positions RTH does not, 91.2% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.07%, AAPL 7.02%, MSFT 5.69%, GOOGL 3.00%, AVGO 2.65%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in RTH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.84% | 21.16% | 17.32% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 0.69% | 9.94% | 9.25% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 0.63% | 8.06% | 7.43% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.49% | 4.95% | 4.46% |
| MCKMckesson Corp. | 0.16% | 5.10% | 4.94% |
| CVSCvs Corp | 0.18% | 4.43% | 4.25% |
| ORLYO'Eilly Automotive, Inc. | 0.11% | 4.19% | 4.08% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 0.17% | 4.11% | 3.94% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 0.11% | 4.12% | 4.01% |
| TJXTjx Cos Inc | 0.22% | 3.93% | 3.71% |
97.7% of RTH 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 RTH?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while RTH charges 0.35%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or RTH?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.38% vs +2.10% for RTH, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IVV annualized +7.69% vs +9.52% for RTH. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or RTH?
RTH has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 14.9% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs RTH -42.4%.
Should I hold both IVV and RTH?
IVV and RTH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 RTH?
97.7% of RTH's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 97.7% of RTH's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 25 in RTH.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or RTH?
IVV yields 1.06% while RTH yields 0.92%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RTH better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, RTH over the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 70.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.