IVV vs ZMAR
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr March
Which is better, IVV or ZMAR?
Large Cap Blend against Multi Alternative.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | ZMAR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.79% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $111M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 14 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | +3.98% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +5.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0% | 1.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.7% | -2.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $13,203Best | $10,997 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Mar 3, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 3, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.5 years).
IVV vs ZMAR 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
IVV vs ZMAR Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr March (ZMAR) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while ZMAR returned +5.86%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 3.98% for ZMAR.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.0% compared with 1.8% for ZMAR. 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 -14.7% for IVV and -2.3% for ZMAR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while ZMAR charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $79 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.00% for ZMAR.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 1 in ZMAR, totalling 99.3% and 107.3% 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 1 in ZMAR, against full books of 508 and 14.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and ZMAR 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 ZMAR?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while ZMAR charges 0.79%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or ZMAR?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +5.86% for ZMAR, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), IVV annualized +20.35% vs +6.54% for ZMAR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or ZMAR?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 12.0% annualized versus 1.8% for ZMAR. Worst drawdown: IVV -14.7% vs ZMAR -2.3%.
Should I hold both IVV and ZMAR?
IVV and ZMAR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or ZMAR?
IVV yields 1.06% while ZMAR yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZMAR better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.