IVV vs VFH
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard Financials ETF
Which is better, IVV or VFH?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.6%.
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 | VFH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $14.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.67% |
| Holdings | 508 | 429 |
| YTD Return | +12.01%Best | +4.98% |
| 1Y Return | +16.48%Best | +7.93% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.21%Best | +20.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.95%Best | +10.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -79.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,384Best | $16,707 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8%Best | 46.6% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 14, 2026 (22.6 years).
IVV vs VFH 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 22.6 years both funds cover.
IVV vs VFH Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.48% while VFH returned +7.93%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.01% versus a gain of 4.98% for VFH.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.21% per year against +20.46% for VFH; over five years the annualized figures are +12.95% and +10.81% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.16% annualized vs +5.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VFH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 14.6% 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 -56.5% for IVV and -79.9% for VFH. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while VFH charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $9 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 1.67% for VFH.
Holdings Overlap
12.2% of IVV's money is in holdings VFH also owns. 82.6% of VFH's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of VFH is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
74 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 418 in VFH, against full books of 508 and 429.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 299 positions for VFH that do not appear in our book for IVV (15.9% of the fund), and 408 for IVV that do not appear in VFH (86.5%).
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 VFH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.44% | 10.45% | 9.01% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 1.39% | 7.88% | 6.49% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 0.72% | 5.20% | 4.48% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 0.95% | 4.33% | 3.38% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.61% | 4.66% | 4.05% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 0.46% | 3.16% | 2.70% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 0.40% | 2.93% | 2.53% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 0.39% | 2.76% | 2.37% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.34% | 2.42% | 2.08% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 0.27% | 1.98% | 1.71% |
82.6% of VFH is already inside IVV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or VFH?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VFH charges 0.09%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or VFH?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.48% vs +7.93% for VFH, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), IVV annualized +9.16% vs +5.16% for VFH. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or VFH?
VFH has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 14.6% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs VFH -79.9%.
Should I hold both IVV and VFH?
IVV and VFH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IVV and VFH?
82.6% of VFH's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 82.6% of VFH's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 74 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 418 in VFH.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or VFH?
IVV yields 1.06% while VFH yields 1.67%, so VFH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VFH better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.