IVV vs SMU
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Tradr 2X Long SMR Daily ETF
Which is better, IVV or SMU?
Large Cap Blend against Trading-Leveraged Equity.
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 | SMU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 1.30% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $48M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +11.57%Best | -46.27% |
| 1Y Return | +17.57%Best | -92.68% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.71% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.80% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5%Best | 170.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9%Best | -98.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,376Best | $490 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Tradr ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Trading-Leveraged Equity |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jul 10, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 11, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.2 years).
IVV vs SMU 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
IVV vs SMU Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Tradr 2X Long SMR Daily ETF (SMU) is an ETF from Tradr ETFs. Over the past year IVV returned +17.57% while SMU returned -92.68%. Year to date, IVV is up 11.57% versus a loss of 46.27% for SMU.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 170.4% compared with 12.5% 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 -8.9% for IVV and -98.2% for SMU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while SMU charges 1.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $130 annually, a gap of $127 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.00% for SMU.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 505 holdings in IVV and 1 in SMU, totalling 100.0% and 117.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 1 in SMU, against full books of 508 and 4.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and SMU 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 SMU?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SMU charges 1.30%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $127 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or SMU?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.57% vs -92.68% for SMU, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), IVV annualized +19.44% vs -91.90% for SMU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or SMU?
SMU has been the more volatile fund at 170.4% annualized versus 12.5% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -8.9% vs SMU -98.2%.
Should I hold both IVV and SMU?
IVV and SMU have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, 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 SMU?
IVV yields 1.06% while SMU yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMU 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.