IVV vs SQMX
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Quarterly Max Buffer ETF
Which is better, IVV or SQMX?
Large Cap Blend against Multi Alternative.
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 | SQMX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $55M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | +4.09% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +7.12% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6% | 2.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -7.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $12,999Best | $11,249 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Dec 20, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.7 years).
IVV vs SQMX 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
IVV vs SQMX Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and FT Vest US Equity Quarterly Max Buffer ETF (SQMX) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while SQMX returned +7.12%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 4.09% for SQMX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.6% compared with 2.9% for SQMX. 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 -7.4% for SQMX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while SQMX charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $85 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.00% for SQMX.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and SQMX 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 SQMX?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SQMX charges 0.85%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or SQMX?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +7.12% for SQMX, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), IVV annualized +16.68% vs +7.17% for SQMX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or SQMX?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 12.6% annualized versus 2.9% for SQMX. Worst drawdown: IVV -18.8% vs SQMX -7.4%.
Should I hold both IVV and SQMX?
IVV and SQMX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 SQMX?
IVV yields 1.06% while SQMX yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQMX 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.