IVV vs XPH
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF
Which is better, IVV or XPH?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XPH over 1Y. XPH is less concentrated, with 25.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%.
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 | XPH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $886.7B | $574M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 0.49% |
| Holdings | 508 | 67 |
| YTD Return | +13.39% | +28.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.08% | +50.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.29%Best | +19.19% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.88%Best | +9.23% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 19.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -52.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,327Best | $15,549 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.9% | 25.6%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 19, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (20.2 years).
IVV vs XPH 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 20.2 years both funds cover.
IVV vs XPH Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IVV returned +20.08% while XPH returned +50.98%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.39% versus a gain of 28.75% for XPH.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.29% per year against +19.19% for XPH; over five years the annualized figures are +12.88% and +9.23% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.87% annualized vs +8.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XPH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 15.3% 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 -52.7% for XPH. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while XPH charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $35 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 0.49% for XPH.
Holdings Overlap
3.3% of IVV's money is in holdings XPH also owns. 10.9% of XPH's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
XPH and IVV share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 65 in XPH, against full books of 508 and 67.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 55 positions for XPH that do not appear in our book for IVV (83.5% of the fund), and 490 for IVV that do not appear in XPH (96.0%).
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
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and XPH 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 XPH?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XPH charges 0.35%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or XPH?
Over the past year IVV returned +20.08% vs +50.98% for XPH, so XPH leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IVV annualized +9.87% vs +8.12% for XPH. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or XPH?
XPH has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 15.3% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs XPH -52.7%.
Should I hold both IVV and XPH?
IVV and XPH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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 XPH?
10.9% of XPH's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 10.9% of XPH's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 65 in XPH.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or XPH?
IVV yields 1.10% while XPH yields 0.49%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XPH better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XPH over 1Y. XPH is less concentrated, with 25.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.