IVV vs PILL
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X ETF
Which is better, IVV or PILL?
Large Cap Blend against Multi Alternative.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 5Y and the full window, PILL over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | PILL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.97% |
| AUM | $896.5B | $14M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 0.37% |
| Holdings | 508 | 142 |
| YTD Return | +13.59% | +16.66%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.54% | +77.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.46% | +30.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.28%Best | -4.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2%Best | 60.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -88.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,654Best | $7,853 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Nov 15, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.9 years).
IVV vs PILL 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 8.9 years both funds cover.
IVV vs PILL Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X ETF (PILL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% while PILL returned +77.46%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.59% versus a gain of 16.66% for PILL.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +22.46% per year against +30.43% for PILL; over five years the annualized figures are +13.28% and -4.72% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.11% annualized vs -5.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PILL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 60.4% compared with 16.2% for IVV. 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 -88.9% for PILL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while PILL charges 0.97%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $97 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 0.37% for PILL.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.4% of IVV's money is in holdings PILL also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for PILL, our book for it lists positions totalling 107.5% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
IVV and PILL share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 64 in PILL, against full books of 508 and 142.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and PILL 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 PILL?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while PILL charges 0.97%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or PILL?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% vs +77.46% for PILL, so PILL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), IVV annualized +14.11% vs -5.34% for PILL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or PILL?
PILL has been the more volatile fund at 60.4% annualized versus 16.2% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs PILL -88.9%.
Should I hold both IVV and PILL?
IVV and PILL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, 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 IVV and PILL?
At least 3.4% of IVV's money is in holdings PILL also owns. Our book for PILL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 64 in PILL.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or PILL?
IVV yields 1.10% while PILL yields 0.37%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PILL better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 5Y and the full window, PILL over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.