IVV vs SLY
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF
Which is better, IVV or SLY?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, SLY over 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 | SLY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.15% |
| AUM | $896.5B | $1.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 1.62% |
| Holdings | 508 | 605 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4%Best | 20.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -60.1% |
| $10,000 over 17.6 years | $36,359 | $46,916Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Nov 8, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 1223 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 SLY through Jun 9, 2023.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 17.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2005 to Jun 9, 2023 (17.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 15.4% 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 -56.5% for IVV and -60.1% for SLY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while SLY charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $15 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 1.62% for SLY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and SLY 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 SLY?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SLY charges 0.15%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IVV or SLY?
SLY has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 15.4% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs SLY -60.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and SLY?
IVV and SLY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 SLY?
IVV yields 1.10% while SLY yields 1.62%, so SLY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SLY better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, SLY over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.