IVV vs SPLS
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs PIMCO US Stocks PLUS Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund
Which is better, IVV or SPLS?
Large Cap Blend against Allocation/Balanced.
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 | SPLS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $896.5B | $88M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 0.54% |
| Holdings | 508 | 3 |
| YTD Return | +13.59%Best | +10.71% |
| 1Y Return | +17.54%Best | +10.71% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.46% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.28% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 123.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -52.9%Best | -64.9% |
| $10,000 over 18.8 years | $57,887Best | $33,489 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | PIMCO (US) |
| Category | Equity | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Allocation/Balanced |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jan 15, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 18.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 2, 2008 to Oct 14, 2026 (18.8 years).
IVV vs SPLS 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 18.8 years both funds cover.
IVV vs SPLS Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and PIMCO US Stocks PLUS Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund (SPLS) is an ETF from PIMCO (US). Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% while SPLS returned +10.71%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.59% versus a gain of 10.71% for SPLS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPLS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 123.5% compared with 15.6% 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 -52.9% for IVV and -64.9% for SPLS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.15. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while SPLS charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $18 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 0.54% for SPLS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 506 holdings in IVV and 3 in SPLS, totalling 99.9% and 98.3% 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 3 in SPLS, against full books of 508 and 3.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and SPLS 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 SPLS?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SPLS charges 0.18%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or SPLS?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% vs +10.71% for SPLS, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), IVV annualized +9.79% vs +6.64% for SPLS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or SPLS?
SPLS has been the more volatile fund at 123.5% annualized versus 15.6% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -52.9% vs SPLS -64.9%.
Should I hold both IVV and SPLS?
IVV and SPLS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.15, 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 SPLS?
IVV yields 1.10% while SPLS yields 0.54%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPLS 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.