IVV vs VHT
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard Health Care ETF
Which is better, IVV or VHT?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VHT over 1Y. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.0%.
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 | VHT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $20.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.48% |
| Holdings | 508 | 427 |
| YTD Return | +14.15%Best | +10.92% |
| 1Y Return | +17.31% | +26.30%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.17%Best | +11.85% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.85%Best | +5.97% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -40.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,128Best | $13,363 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8%Best | 52.0% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 21, 2026 (22.6 years).
IVV vs VHT 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 VHT Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IVV returned +17.31% while VHT returned +26.30%. Year to date, IVV is up 14.15% versus a gain of 10.92% for VHT.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +23.17% per year against +11.85% for VHT; over five years the annualized figures are +13.85% and +5.97% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.24% annualized vs +8.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 13.9% for VHT. 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 -40.9% for VHT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while VHT 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 1.48% for VHT.
Holdings Overlap
9.0% of IVV's money is in holdings VHT also owns. 83.3% of VHT's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of VHT is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
55 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 405 in VHT, against full books of 508 and 427.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 275 positions for VHT that do not appear in our book for IVV (15.8% of the fund), and 428 for IVV that do not appear in VHT (89.6%).
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 VHT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.38% | 13.40% | 12.02% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.97% | 8.84% | 7.87% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.68% | 6.45% | 5.77% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.53% | 5.46% | 4.93% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.55% | 4.68% | 4.13% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 0.35% | 3.10% | 2.75% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.35% | 3.02% | 2.67% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.29% | 2.67% | 2.38% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.27% | 2.35% | 2.08% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 0.24% | 2.07% | 1.83% |
83.3% of VHT 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 VHT?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VHT charges 0.09%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or VHT?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.31% vs +26.30% for VHT, so VHT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), IVV annualized +9.24% vs +8.89% for VHT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or VHT?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 13.9% for VHT. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs VHT -40.9%.
Should I hold both IVV and VHT?
IVV and VHT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 VHT?
83.3% of VHT's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 83.3% of VHT's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 55 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 405 in VHT.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or VHT?
IVV yields 1.06% while VHT yields 1.48%, so VHT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VHT better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VHT over 1Y. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.