IVV vs STOX
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Horizon Core Equity ETF
Which is better, IVV or STOX?
Nearly the same fund. IVV costs less.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. STOX led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. IVV is less concentrated, with 38.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%.
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 | STOX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.70% |
| AUM | $896.5B | $238M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 0.17% |
| Holdings | 508 | 346 |
| YTD Return | +13.59% | +14.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.54% | +17.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.46% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.28% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.6% | 11.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9%Best | -9.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $12,761 | $12,819Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.9%Best | 41.6% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Horizon Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 25, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.3 years).
IVV vs STOX 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
IVV vs STOX Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Horizon Core Equity ETF (STOX) is an ETF from Horizon Funds. Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% while STOX returned +17.61%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.59% versus a gain of 14.09% for STOX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.6% compared with 11.2% for STOX. 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 -8.9% for IVV and -9.3% for STOX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. 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 STOX charges 0.70%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $70 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 0.17% for STOX.
Holdings Overlap
78.0% of IVV's money is in holdings STOX also owns. 91.7% of STOX's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of STOX is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
161 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 166 in STOX, against full books of 508 and 346.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 5 positions for STOX that do not appear in our book for IVV (8.1% of the fund), and 339 for IVV that do not appear in STOX (21.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in STOX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.44% | 6.67% | 1.77% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.29% | 6.60% | 0.69% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.76% | 5.22% | 0.54% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.00% | 5.20% | 2.20% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.68% | 1.88% | 1.80% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.47% | 2.73% | 0.26% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.42% | 1.83% | 0.59% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.87% | 2.34% | 0.47% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 1.41% | 2.57% | 1.16% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.39% | 1.95% | 0.56% |
91.7% of STOX is already inside IVV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or STOX?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while STOX charges 0.70%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or STOX?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% vs +17.61% for STOX, so STOX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), IVV annualized +20.63% vs +21.05% for STOX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or STOX?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 11.6% annualized versus 11.2% for STOX. Worst drawdown: IVV -8.9% vs STOX -9.3%.
Should I hold both IVV and STOX?
IVV and STOX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between IVV and STOX?
91.7% of STOX's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 91.7% of STOX's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 161 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 166 in STOX.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or STOX?
IVV yields 1.10% while STOX yields 0.17%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is STOX better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. STOX led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. IVV is less concentrated, with 38.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.