IVV vs MFDX
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor International Equity ETF
Which is better, IVV or MFDX?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MFDX is less concentrated, with 8.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.9%.
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 | MFDX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.39% |
| AUM | $896.5B | $452M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 2.93% |
| Holdings | 508 | 1,300 |
| YTD Return | +13.59%Best | +8.03% |
| 1Y Return | +17.54%Best | +14.80% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.46%Best | +18.96% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.28%Best | +10.11% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -39.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,654Best | $16,186 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.9% | 8.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | PIMCO (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Aug 31, 2017 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 6, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.1 years).
IVV vs MFDX 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 9.1 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MFDX Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor International Equity ETF (MFDX) is an ETF from PIMCO (US). Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% while MFDX returned +14.80%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.59% versus a gain of 8.03% for MFDX.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +22.46% per year against +18.96% for MFDX; over five years the annualized figures are +13.28% and +10.11% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.27% annualized vs +7.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 14.8% for MFDX. 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 -33.9% for IVV and -39.1% for MFDX. 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
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MFDX charges 0.39%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $39 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 2.93% for MFDX.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of IVV's money is in holdings MFDX also owns. 0.4% of MFDX's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 1,272 in MFDX, against full books of 508 and 1,300.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 30 positions for MFDX that do not appear in our book for IVV (4.7% of the fund), and 498 for IVV that do not appear in MFDX (99.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MFDX 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 MFDX?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MFDX charges 0.39%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MFDX?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% vs +14.80% for MFDX, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), IVV annualized +14.27% vs +7.57% for MFDX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MFDX?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.8% for MFDX. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs MFDX -39.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and MFDX?
IVV and MFDX 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or MFDX?
IVV yields 1.10% while MFDX yields 2.93%, so MFDX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MFDX better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MFDX is less concentrated, with 8.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.