IDYN vs ILOW
iShares International Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF vs AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF
Which is better, IDYN or ILOW?
IDYN has been ahead.
IDYN has a lower expense ratio. IDYN led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. IDYN is less concentrated, with 20.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 21.0%.
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 | IDYN | ILOW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $114M | $1.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.83% | 1.49% |
| Holdings | 218 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +6.01%Best | +6.00% |
| 1Y Return | +12.58%Best | +8.93% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.8% | 10.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.7% | -9.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,889Best | $11,120 |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.9%Best | 21.0% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | AllianceBernstein L.P. |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 5, 2025 | Jul 15, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 7, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
IDYN vs ILOW 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
IDYN vs ILOW Performance
iShares International Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF (IDYN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P.. Over the past year IDYN returned +12.58% while ILOW returned +8.93%. Year to date, IDYN is up 6.01% versus a gain of 6.00% for ILOW.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IDYN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 10.1% for ILOW. 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 -12.7% for IDYN and -9.8% for ILOW. 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
IDYN charges 0.45% per year while ILOW charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $50 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IDYN currently yields 1.83% against 1.49% for ILOW.
Holdings Overlap
20.0% of IDYN's money is in holdings ILOW also owns. 31.4% of ILOW's money is in holdings IDYN also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
21 positions in common, counted across the 203 positions we hold weights for in IDYN and 85 in ILOW, against full books of 218 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 4 positions for ILOW that do not appear in our book for IDYN (4.3% of the fund), and 8 for IDYN that do not appear in ILOW (3.7%).
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 IDYN | Weight in ILOW | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 4.17% | 3.12% | 1.05% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 2.62% | 1.71% | 0.91% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 2.15% | 1.37% | 0.78% |
| 8306:TKMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group Inc | 1.65% | 1.72% | 0.07% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 1.32% | 1.84% | 0.52% |
| O39:SIOversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. Shs | 0.65% | 2.15% | 1.50% |
| TSCO:LNTesco Plc | 1.17% | 1.60% | 0.43% |
| 8316:JPSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. Shs | 1.13% | 1.60% | 0.47% |
| SCHN:PASchneider Electric Se | 0.04% | 2.40% | 2.36% |
| REL:LNRELX Plc - Ordinary Shares | 0.84% | 1.24% | 0.40% |
31.4% of ILOW is already inside IDYN.
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, IDYN or ILOW?
IDYN has an expense ratio of 0.45% while ILOW charges 0.50%. IDYN is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IDYN or ILOW?
Over the past year IDYN returned +12.58% vs +8.93% for ILOW, so IDYN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), IDYN annualized +15.51% vs +9.25% for ILOW. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IDYN or ILOW?
IDYN has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 10.1% for ILOW. Worst drawdown: IDYN -12.7% vs ILOW -9.8%.
Should I hold both IDYN and ILOW?
IDYN and ILOW 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.
What is the holdings overlap between IDYN and ILOW?
31.4% of ILOW's money is in holdings IDYN also owns. 31.4% of ILOW's is in holdings IDYN also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 203 positions we hold weights for in IDYN and 85 in ILOW.
Which pays a higher dividend, IDYN or ILOW?
IDYN yields 1.83% while ILOW yields 1.49%, so IDYN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ILOW better than IDYN?
IDYN has a lower expense ratio. IDYN led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. IDYN is less concentrated, with 20.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 21.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.