IVV vs. VFFVX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

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 15.32%/yr vs 11.49%/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

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IVV having a 8.72% return and VFFVX slightly lower at 8.56%. Over the past 10 years, IVV has outperformed VFFVX with an annualized return of 15.32%, while VFFVX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.49% annualized return.

IVV

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 6M: 8.76%
• 1Y: 24.89%
• 3Y*: 21.44%
• 5Y*: 13.50%
• 10Y*: 15.32%

VFFVX

• 1D: -2.80%
• 1M: -0.83%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 23.27%
• 3Y*: 18.33%
• 5Y*: 9.49%
• 10Y*: 11.49%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IVV vs. VFFVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	8.72%	17.85%	24.93%	26.31%	-18.16%	28.76%	18.40%	31.07%	-4.49%	21.75%
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund	8.56%	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 19, 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.

IVV vs. VFFVX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVV	VFFVX
Technology	35.6%	27.3%
Financial Services	11.8%	16.1%
Communication Services	11.2%	8.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	9.4%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.3%
Industrials	8.3%	12.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.8%
Energy	3.5%	4.3%
Utilities	2.4%	2.7%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.5%
Basic Materials	1.8%	4.3%

Return for Risk

IVV vs. VFFVX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IVV

IVV Risk / Return Rank: 69
IVV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IVV Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
IVV Omega Ratio Rank: 70
IVV Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IVV Martin Ratio Rank: 75

VFFVX

VFFVX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VFFVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VFFVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VFFVX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VFFVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VFFVX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

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.

	IVV	VFFVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	2.05	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	2.80	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.38	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	2.71	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.97	11.96	+1.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IVV vs. VFFVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVV Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the VFFVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVV and VFFVX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IVV	VFFVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	2.05	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.67	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.76	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.75	-0.30

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVV	VFFVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest 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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.67%	-3.22%	+0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.77%	-4.14%	-6.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	2.02%	-0.10%

Volatility

IVV vs. VFFVX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is 3.77%, while Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) has a volatility of 4.17%. This indicates that IVV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFFVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IVV	VFFVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.77%	4.17%	-0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.31%	9.56%	-0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.08%	11.80%	+0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.92%	14.23%	+2.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	15.12%	+2.95%

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 1.09%, less than VFFVX's 1.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	1.09%	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	1.92%	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

Can I hold both IVV and VFFVX in my portfolio?

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.

Which is riskier, IVV or VFFVX?

VFFVX has higher volatility (4.17%) compared to IVV (3.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVV dropped -55.25% vs VFFVX's -31.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 2.05), 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.