IVV vs OCTB
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Aptus October Buffer ETF
Which is better, IVV or OCTB?
Large Cap Blend against Option Writing.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | OCTB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.25% |
| AUM | $896.5B | $48M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +13.59%Best | +11.01% |
| 1Y Return | +17.54%Best | +13.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.46% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.28% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.2% | 6.7%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Aptus ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Option Writing |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Oct 13, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
IVV vs OCTB 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IVV vs OCTB Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Aptus October Buffer ETF (OCTB) is an ETF from Aptus ETFs. Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% while OCTB returned +13.63%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.59% versus a gain of 11.01% for OCTB.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 6.7% for OCTB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while OCTB charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $25 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 0.00% for OCTB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 506 holdings in IVV and 4 in OCTB, totalling 99.9% and 103.6% 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 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 4 in OCTB, against full books of 508 and 10.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and OCTB 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 OCTB?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while OCTB charges 0.25%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or OCTB?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% vs +13.63% for OCTB, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or OCTB?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 6.7% for OCTB.
Should I hold both IVV and OCTB?
IVV and OCTB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or OCTB?
IVV yields 1.10% while OCTB yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is OCTB better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.