IVV vs STRN
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs SMART Trend 25 ETF
Which is better, IVV or STRN?
STRN has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. STRN led over 1Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 38.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.7%.
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 | STRN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.59% |
| AUM | $896.5B | $30M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 0.15% |
| Holdings | 508 | 52 |
| YTD Return | +13.59% | +21.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.54% | +24.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.46% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.28% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 26.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9%Best | -15.4% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $12,129 | $13,385Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.9%Best | 56.7% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | SMART Wealth, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Aug 20, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 20, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).
IVV vs STRN 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
IVV vs STRN Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and SMART Trend 25 ETF (STRN) is an ETF from SMART Wealth, LLC. Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% while STRN returned +24.63%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.59% versus a gain of 21.37% for STRN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STRN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.0% compared with 12.4% 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 -8.9% for IVV and -15.4% for STRN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while STRN charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $59 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 0.15% for STRN.
Holdings Overlap
19.7% of IVV's money is in holdings STRN also owns. 93.2% of STRN's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of STRN is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
27 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 29 in STRN, against full books of 508 and 52.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 2 positions for STRN that do not appear in our book for IVV (6.9% of the fund), and 473 for IVV that do not appear in STRN (79.7%).
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 STRN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.44% | 1.98% | 6.46% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 0.66% | 6.74% | 6.08% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 0.32% | 6.62% | 6.30% |
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 0.25% | 6.63% | 6.38% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.18% | 6.18% | 6.00% |
| XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corp Common Stock Usd | 1.02% | 4.88% | 3.86% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.30% | 4.84% | 4.54% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.18% | 4.86% | 4.68% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 0.25% | 4.50% | 4.25% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.87% | 2.87% | 1.00% |
93.2% of STRN 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 STRN?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while STRN charges 0.59%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or STRN?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.54% vs +24.63% for STRN, so STRN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), IVV annualized +19.18% vs +30.35% for STRN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or STRN?
STRN has been the more volatile fund at 26.0% annualized versus 12.4% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -8.9% vs STRN -15.4%.
Should I hold both IVV and STRN?
IVV and STRN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 STRN?
93.2% of STRN's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 93.2% of STRN's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 29 in STRN.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or STRN?
IVV yields 1.10% while STRN yields 0.15%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is STRN better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. STRN led over 1Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 38.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.