IVV vs. VFFVX
IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) and VFFVX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund) are both funds - IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VFFVX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, IVV returned 14.95%/yr vs 11.48%/yr for VFFVX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IVV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VFFVX.
Performance
IVV vs. VFFVX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IVV having a 9.40% return and VFFVX slightly higher at 9.64%. Over the past 10 years, IVV has outperformed VFFVX with an annualized return of 14.95%, while VFFVX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.48% annualized return.
IVV
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- -0.63%
- 6M
- 7.87%
- YTD
- 9.40%
- 1Y
- 19.60%
- 3Y*
- 19.51%
- 5Y*
- 12.87%
- 10Y*
- 14.95%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.43%
VFFVX
- 1D
- -0.81%
- 1M
- -1.75%
- 6M
- 6.82%
- YTD
- 9.64%
- 1Y
- 20.07%
- 3Y*
- 16.80%
- 5Y*
- 9.72%
- 10Y*
- 11.48%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.00%
IVV vs. VFFVX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 9.40% | 17.85% | 24.93% | 26.31% | -18.16% | 28.76% | 18.40% | 31.07% | -4.49% | 21.75% |
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund | 9.64% | 21.44% | 14.50% | 20.39% | -17.48% | 16.44% | 16.33% | 24.98% | -7.88% | 21.39% |
Correlation
The correlation between IVV and VFFVX is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 18, 2010 | 0.96 |
The correlation between IVV and VFFVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IVV vs. VFFVX — Risk / Return Rank
IVV
VFFVX
IVV vs. VFFVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| IVV | VFFVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.30 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.22 | 2.25 | -0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.59 | 9.54 | +0.05 |
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Drawdowns
IVV vs. VFFVX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IVV drawdown since its inception was -55.25%, which is greater than VFFVX's maximum drawdown of -31.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVV and VFFVX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IVV | VFFVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.25% | -31.40% | -23.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.89% | -8.93% | +0.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.75% | -14.52% | -4.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.53% | -25.39% | +0.86% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.90% | -31.40% | -2.50% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.06% | -2.25% | +0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.74% | -4.12% | -6.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.05% | 2.10% | -0.05% |
Volatility
IVV vs. VFFVX - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) have volatilities of 3.54% and 3.66%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IVV | VFFVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.54% | 3.66% | -0.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.10% | 10.36% | -0.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.65% | 12.37% | +0.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.99% | 14.34% | +2.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.05% | 15.06% | +2.99% |
IVV vs. VFFVX - Expense Ratio Comparison
IVV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VFFVX's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
IVV vs. VFFVX - Dividend Comparison
IVV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, less than VFFVX's 1.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 1.10% | 1.17% | 1.30% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.20% | 1.57% | 1.85% | 2.21% | 1.75% | 2.01% | 2.27% |
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund | 1.90% | 2.08% | 2.31% | 2.18% | 2.19% | 10.03% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.35% | 1.83% | 1.99% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, IVV and VFFVX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VFFVX has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to IVV (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVV dropped -55.25% vs VFFVX's -31.40%.
VFFVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.56), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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