IVV vs SQEW
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF
Which is better, IVV or SQEW?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | SQEW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.84% |
| AUM | $896.5B | $16M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 0.96% |
| Holdings | 508 | 159 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7%Best | 16.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5%Best | -26.1% |
| $10,000 over 5.5 years | $25,543Best | $15,910 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | LeaderShares |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | May 11, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 355 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 SQEW through Oct 24, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 12, 2020 to Oct 24, 2025 (5.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SQEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 15.7% 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 -24.5% for IVV and -26.1% for SQEW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. 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 SQEW charges 0.84%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $84 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 0.96% for SQEW.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and SQEW 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 SQEW?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SQEW charges 0.84%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IVV or SQEW?
SQEW has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 15.7% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -24.5% vs SQEW -26.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and SQEW?
IVV and SQEW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 SQEW?
IVV yields 1.10% while SQEW yields 0.96%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQEW better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.