IVV vs. XLV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) and XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while XLV is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Health Care Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVV returned 15.32%/yr vs 9.65%/yr for XLV. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IVV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLV.

Performance

IVV vs. XLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IVV achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly higher than XLV's -0.98% return. Over the past 10 years, IVV has outperformed XLV with an annualized return of 15.32%, while XLV has yielded a comparatively lower 9.65% 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%

XLV

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 6.38%
• YTD: -0.98%
• 6M: 1.65%
• 1Y: 15.62%
• 3Y*: 7.16%
• 5Y*: 6.05%
• 10Y*: 9.65%

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

IVV vs. XLV - 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%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	-0.98%	14.50%	2.47%	2.07%	-2.08%	26.04%	13.30%	20.45%	6.28%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between IVV and XLV is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2000	0.72

Over the past year, the correlation between IVV and XLV has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.72, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IVV vs. XLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVV	XLV
Technology	35.6%	-
Financial Services	11.8%	-
Communication Services	11.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	100.0%
Industrials	8.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

IVV vs. XLV — 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

XLV

XLV Risk / Return Rank: 32
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 31
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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. XLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV). 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	XLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	1.05	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	1.68	+1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.19	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	1.50	+1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.97	3.60	+9.37
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. XLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVV Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is higher than the XLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVV and XLV, 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	XLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	1.05	+1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.41	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.58	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.46	-0.02

Drawdowns

IVV vs. XLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVV drawdown since its inception was -55.25%, which is greater than XLV's maximum drawdown of -39.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVV and XLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVV	XLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.25%	-39.17%	-16.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.89%	-10.47%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-17.11%	-1.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.53%	-17.11%	-7.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.90%	-28.40%	-5.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.67%	-4.32%	+1.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.77%	-7.12%	-3.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	4.35%	-2.43%

Volatility

IVV vs. XLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is 3.77%, while State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) has a volatility of 5.02%. This indicates that IVV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IVV	XLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.77%	5.02%	-1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.31%	10.66%	-1.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.08%	14.99%	-2.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.92%	14.76%	+2.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	16.58%	+1.49%

IVV vs. XLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than XLV'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. XLV - Dividend Comparison

IVV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, less than XLV's 1.64% 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%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.64%	1.60%	1.67%	1.59%	1.47%	1.33%	1.49%	2.17%	1.57%	1.47%	1.60%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVV and XLV in my portfolio?

IVV and XLV have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IVV or XLV?

XLV has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to IVV (3.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVV dropped -55.25% vs XLV's -39.17%.

Which ETF is better, IVV or XLV?

On 10-year performance, IVV leads with 15.32% vs 9.65% for XLV. On fees, IVV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IVV has been the lower-risk option at 3.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVV or XLV?

Over the 10-year period, IVV has performed better with a 15.32% return vs 9.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVV or XLV?

IVV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IVV or XLV?

XLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 1.09% for IVV.

What is the main difference between IVV and XLV?

IVV is categorized as S&P 500, while XLV is Health & Biotech Equities. IVV tracks S&P 500 Index, while XLV tracks Health Care Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for IVV and 0.08% for XLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.05), 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.