IVVW vs SPY
iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, IVVW or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | IVVW | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $340M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 16.22% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 509 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -1.45% | +11.45%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.64% | +15.87%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.93% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.5%Best | 12.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.8%Best | -18.8% |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $12,254 | $15,251Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 14, 2024 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 15, 2024 to Sep 15, 2026 (2.5 years).
IVVW vs SPY 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
IVVW vs SPY Performance
iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IVVW returned +3.64% while SPY returned +15.87%. Year to date, IVVW is down 1.45% versus a gain of 11.45% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 7.5% for IVVW. 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 -16.8% for IVVW and -18.8% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVVW charges 0.25% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $9 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVVW currently yields 16.22% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in IVVW and 504 in SPY, totalling 100.3% and 99.9% 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 2 positions we hold weights for in IVVW and 504 in SPY, against full books of 509 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVVW and SPY 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, IVVW or SPY?
IVVW has an expense ratio of 0.25% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVVW or SPY?
Over the past year IVVW returned +3.64% vs +15.87% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVVW or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 7.5% for IVVW. Worst drawdown: IVVW -16.8% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both IVVW and SPY?
IVVW and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVVW or SPY?
IVVW yields 16.22% while SPY yields 0.98%, so IVVW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than IVVW?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.