IVV vs ULST
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF
Which is better, IVV or ULST?
Large Cap Blend against Ultrashort Term Bond.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | ULST |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.20% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $513M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 4.18% |
| Holdings | 508 | 309 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | +2.07% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +3.24% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38%Best | +4.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51%Best | +3.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 1.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9% | -6.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,844Best | $11,929 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Ultrashort Term Bond |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Oct 9, 2013 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 10, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (12.9 years).
IVV vs ULST 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IVV vs ULST Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF (ULST) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while ULST returned +3.24%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 2.07% for ULST.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.38% per year against +4.64% for ULST; over five years the annualized figures are +13.51% and +3.59% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +13.01% annualized vs +1.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 1.5% for ULST. 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 -6.3% for ULST. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while ULST charges 0.20%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $20 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 4.18% for ULST.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 10 in ULST, totalling 99.3% and 4.3% 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 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 10 in ULST, against full books of 508 and 309.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and ULST 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 ULST?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while ULST charges 0.20%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or ULST?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +3.24% for ULST, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), IVV annualized +13.01% vs +1.48% for ULST. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or ULST?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 1.5% for ULST. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs ULST -6.3%.
Should I hold both IVV and ULST?
IVV and ULST have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, 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 ULST?
IVV yields 1.06% while ULST yields 4.18%, so ULST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ULST better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.