IVV vs VPU
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard Utilities ETF
Which is better, IVV or VPU?
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 52.3%.
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 | VPU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $10.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.83% |
| Holdings | 508 | 68 |
| YTD Return | +11.03%Best | -3.14% |
| 1Y Return | +15.62%Best | +0.75% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.81%Best | +11.80% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.61%Best | +7.31% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -48.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,109Best | $14,230 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8%Best | 52.3% |
| 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 16, 2026 (22.6 years).
IVV vs VPU 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 VPU Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IVV returned +15.62% while VPU returned +0.75%. Year to date, IVV is up 11.03% versus a loss of 3.14% for VPU.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +20.81% per year against +11.80% for VPU; over five years the annualized figures are +12.61% and +7.31% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.12% annualized vs +6.60%.
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 VPU. 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 -48.4% for VPU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while VPU 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 2.83% for VPU.
Holdings Overlap
1.9% of IVV's money is in holdings VPU also owns. 86.7% of VPU's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of VPU is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 69 in VPU, against full books of 508 and 68.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 490 and 69 positions we hold weights for.
IVV holds 452 positions VPU does not, 96.7% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.07%, AAPL 7.02%, MSFT 5.69%, AMZN 3.84%, GOOGL 3.00%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in VPU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 0.26% | 11.82% | 11.56% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 0.15% | 6.95% | 6.80% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 0.14% | 6.36% | 6.22% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 0.13% | 5.28% | 5.15% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 0.10% | 4.53% | 4.43% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 0.09% | 3.96% | 3.87% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.08% | 3.77% | 3.69% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 0.07% | 3.21% | 3.14% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 0.07% | 3.18% | 3.11% |
| EXCExelon | 0.07% | 3.06% | 2.99% |
86.7% of VPU 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 VPU?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VPU charges 0.09%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or VPU?
Over the past year IVV returned +15.62% vs +0.75% for VPU, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), IVV annualized +9.12% vs +6.60% for VPU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or VPU?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 13.9% for VPU. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs VPU -48.4%.
Should I hold both IVV and VPU?
IVV and VPU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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 VPU?
86.7% of VPU's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 86.7% of VPU's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 69 in VPU.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or VPU?
IVV yields 1.06% while VPU yields 2.83%, so VPU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VPU 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 52.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.