IVV vs SAEF
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Schwab Ariel Opportunities ETF
Which is better, IVV or SAEF?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over the full window, SAEF over 1Y. SAEF is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | SAEF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.59% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $19M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.33% |
| Holdings | 508 | 59 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0%Best | 24.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5%Best | -28.1% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $17,006Best | $9,883 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8% | 34.6%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Nov 15, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 63 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IVV has data through Sep 18, 2026 and SAEF through Jul 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2021 to Jul 17, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 16.0% 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 -24.5% for IVV and -28.1% for SAEF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while SAEF charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $59 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.33% for SAEF.
Holdings Overlap
1.1% of IVV's money is in holdings SAEF also owns. 32.7% of SAEF's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 153 days apart, IVV as of Aug 31, 2026 and SAEF as of Mar 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
21 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 58 in SAEF, against full books of 508 and 59.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 35 positions for SAEF that do not appear in our book for IVV (61.8% of the fund), and 462 for IVV that do not appear in SAEF (97.6%).
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 SAEF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCLHNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings | 0.01% | 4.06% | 4.05% |
| NTRSNorthern Trust Corp. | 0.05% | 2.75% | 2.70% |
| KKRKkr & Co. Inc. Class a | 0.11% | 2.13% | 2.02% |
| CRLCharles River Laboratories International Inc | 0.02% | 2.20% | 2.18% |
| FIFiserv, Inc. (United States) | 0.04% | 2.15% | 2.11% |
| GNRCGenerac Holdings, Inc. | 0.02% | 2.12% | 2.10% |
| KEYSKeysight Technologies Inc. | 0.08% | 2.04% | 1.96% |
| ZBRAZebra Technologies Corp | 0.03% | 1.63% | 1.60% |
| FICOFair Isaac Corp. | 0.04% | 1.50% | 1.46% |
| CBRECbre Services Inc | 0.06% | 1.35% | 1.29% |
32.7% of SAEF 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 SAEF?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SAEF charges 0.59%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IVV or SAEF?
SAEF has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 16.0% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -24.5% vs SAEF -28.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and SAEF?
IVV and SAEF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 SAEF?
32.7% of SAEF's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 32.7% of SAEF's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 58 in SAEF.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or SAEF?
IVV yields 1.06% while SAEF yields 0.33%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SAEF better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over the full window, SAEF over 1Y. SAEF is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.