IVV vs SMMD
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs iShares Russell 2500 ETF
Which is better, IVV or SMMD?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SMMD over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. IVV is less concentrated, with 38.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.7%.
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 | SMMD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.15% |
| AUM | $882.6B | $4.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 508 | 1,030 |
| YTD Return | +13.60% | +14.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.32% | +17.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.81%Best | +19.24% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.03%Best | +7.48% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0%Best | 20.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -41.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,279Best | $14,343 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.1%Best | 43.7% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jul 6, 2017 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 7, 2017 to Oct 2, 2026 (9.2 years).
IVV vs SMMD 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
IVV vs SMMD Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.32% while SMMD returned +17.28%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.60% versus a gain of 14.34% for SMMD.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +23.81% per year against +19.24% for SMMD; over five years the annualized figures are +14.03% and +7.48% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.29% annualized vs +9.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% 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 -33.9% for IVV and -41.1% for SMMD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. 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 SMMD charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $15 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 1.06% for SMMD.
Holdings Overlap
1.4% of IVV's money is in holdings SMMD also owns. 10.7% of SMMD's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
SMMD and IVV share little of their money.
66 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 510 in SMMD, against full books of 508 and 1,030.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 429 positions for SMMD that do not appear in our book for IVV (87.5% of the fund), and 431 for IVV that do not appear in SMMD (97.9%).
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 SMMD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FFIVF5 Networks Inc. | 0.04% | 0.32% | 0.28% |
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 0.20% | 0.12% | 0.08% |
| PKGPackaging Corp. Of America | 0.03% | 0.28% | 0.25% |
| NINisource Inc. | 0.03% | 0.27% | 0.24% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 0.03% | 0.26% | 0.23% |
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 0.03% | 0.26% | 0.23% |
| CHRWCH Robinson Worldwide | 0.03% | 0.25% | 0.22% |
| NDSNNordson Corp | 0.03% | 0.23% | 0.20% |
| GENGen Digital Inc | 0.03% | 0.23% | 0.20% |
| ZBRAZebra Technologies Corp | 0.03% | 0.23% | 0.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and SMMD 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 SMMD?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SMMD charges 0.15%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or SMMD?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.32% vs +17.28% for SMMD, so SMMD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), IVV annualized +14.29% vs +9.69% for SMMD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or SMMD?
SMMD has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 16.0% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs SMMD -41.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and SMMD?
IVV and SMMD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 SMMD?
10.7% of SMMD's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 10.7% of SMMD's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 66 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 510 in SMMD.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or SMMD?
IVV yields 1.06% while SMMD yields 1.06%, so SMMD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMMD better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SMMD over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. IVV is less concentrated, with 38.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.