IVV vs MUSI
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs American Century Multisector Income ETF
Which is better, IVV or MUSI?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV 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 | IVV | MUSI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.38% |
| AUM | $896.5B | $262M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 5.49% |
| Holdings | 508 | 419 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 5.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5% | -13.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5.2 years | $19,063Best | $10,894 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | American Century Investments |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | - |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 29, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 33 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IVV has data through Oct 14, 2026 and MUSI through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 5.4% for MUSI. 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 -24.5% for IVV and -13.9% for MUSI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MUSI charges 0.38%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $38 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 5.49% for MUSI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of IVV's money is in holdings MUSI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for MUSI, our book for it covers 40.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 93 days apart, IVV as of Oct 1, 2026 and MUSI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 150 in MUSI, against full books of 508 and 419.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MUSI 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 MUSI?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MUSI charges 0.38%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IVV or MUSI?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 5.4% for MUSI. Worst drawdown: IVV -24.5% vs MUSI -13.9%.
Should I hold both IVV and MUSI?
IVV and MUSI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 MUSI?
IVV yields 1.10% while MUSI yields 5.49%, so MUSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MUSI better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV 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.