IVW vs VYM
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IVW or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IVW led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.4%.
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 | IVW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $75.8B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.36% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 152 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.23% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.32% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.17%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.93%Best | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -50.0%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,367Best | $17,750 |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.4% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (19.8 years).
IVW vs VYM 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
IVW vs VYM Performance
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (IVW) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IVW returned +17.32% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, IVW is up 12.23% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, IVW compounded at +25.17% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.93% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IVW has the edge at +11.62% annualized vs +6.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 14.5% for VYM. 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 -50.0% for IVW and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVW charges 0.18% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $4 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVW currently yields 0.36% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
15.6% of IVW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 32.7% of VYM's money is in holdings IVW also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, IVW as of Aug 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
38 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in IVW and 603 in VYM, against full books of 152 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 530 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IVW (64.8% of the fund), and 110 for IVW that do not appear in VYM (84.2%).
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 IVW | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.87% | 7.29% | 2.42% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 1.80% | 3.38% | 1.58% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 1.05% | 2.54% | 1.49% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 1.02% | 2.01% | 0.99% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.64% | 1.93% | 1.29% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.58% | 1.85% | 1.27% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.40% | 1.31% | 0.91% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc. | 0.55% | 1.15% | 0.60% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 0.45% | 1.17% | 0.72% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 0.32% | 1.10% | 0.78% |
32.7% of VYM is already inside IVW.
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, IVW or VYM?
IVW has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVW or VYM?
Over the past year IVW returned +17.32% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IVW annualized +11.62% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVW or VYM?
IVW has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IVW -50.0% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IVW and VYM?
IVW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 IVW and VYM?
32.7% of VYM's money is in holdings IVW also owns. 32.7% of VYM's is in holdings IVW also owns. They hold 38 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in IVW and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVW or VYM?
IVW yields 0.36% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IVW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IVW led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.