IVV vs SFEB
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs FT Vest US Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February
Which is better, IVV or SFEB?
Large Cap Blend against Option Writing.
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 | SFEB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.90% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $129M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | +10.13% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +13.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0% | 9.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -16.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $15,929Best | $13,290 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Option Writing |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Feb 20, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 20, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.6 years).
IVV vs SFEB 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
IVV vs SFEB Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and FT Vest US Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February (SFEB) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while SFEB returned +13.84%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 10.13% for SFEB.
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 9.6% for SFEB. 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 -18.8% for IVV and -16.7% for SFEB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while SFEB charges 0.90%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $90 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.00% for SFEB.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and SFEB 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 SFEB?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SFEB charges 0.90%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or SFEB?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +13.84% for SFEB, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or SFEB?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 12.0% annualized versus 9.6% for SFEB. Worst drawdown: IVV -18.8% vs SFEB -16.7%.
Should I hold both IVV and SFEB?
IVV and SFEB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 SFEB?
IVV yields 1.06% while SFEB yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SFEB 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.