OVL vs. IVVW

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

OVL (Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF) and IVVW (iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. OVL is actively managed, while IVVW is passively managed. Over the past year, OVL returned 25.82% vs 16.65% for IVVW. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. OVL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IVVW.

Performance

OVL vs. IVVW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF (OVL) and iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OVL achieves a 9.69% return, which is significantly higher than IVVW's 4.06% return.

OVL

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -1.99%
• YTD: 9.69%
• 6M: 7.87%
• 1Y: 25.82%
• 3Y*: 22.31%
• 5Y*: 13.19%
• 10Y*: —

IVVW

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 4.06%
• 6M: 3.97%
• 1Y: 16.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

OVL vs. IVVW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
OVL Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF	9.69%	17.81%	15.94%
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	4.06%	11.71%	12.76%

Correlation

The correlation between OVL and IVVW is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 15, 2024	0.88

The correlation between OVL and IVVW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

OVL vs. IVVW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OVL	IVVW
Technology	39.1%	38.4%
Financial Services	10.9%	11.0%
Communication Services	10.7%	10.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	10.0%
Healthcare	8.3%	8.4%
Industrials	7.8%	7.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.6%
Energy	3.1%	3.2%
Utilities	2.1%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.7%

Return for Risk

OVL vs. IVVW — Risk / Return Rank

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

OVL

OVL Risk / Return Rank: 62
OVL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
OVL Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
OVL Omega Ratio Rank: 58
OVL Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
OVL Martin Ratio Rank: 74

IVVW

IVVW Risk / Return Rank: 75
IVVW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
IVVW Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
IVVW Omega Ratio Rank: 84
IVVW Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
IVVW Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

OVL vs. IVVW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF (OVL) and iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW). 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.

	OVL	IVVW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	2.09	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.85	-0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.45	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	2.88	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.40	15.32	-2.93

OVL vs. IVVW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OVL Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the IVVW Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OVL and IVVW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

OVL vs. IVVW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OVL drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, which is greater than IVVW's maximum drawdown of -16.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OVL and IVVW.

Drawdown Indicators

	OVL	IVVW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.49%	-16.79%	-18.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.73%	-5.81%	-2.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.73%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.23%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.02%	-1.33%	-2.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.68%	-1.73%	-4.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.09%	1.09%	+1.00%

Volatility

OVL vs. IVVW - Volatility Comparison

Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF (OVL) has a higher volatility of 5.40% compared to iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW) at 3.44%. This indicates that OVL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IVVW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OVL	IVVW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.40%	3.44%	+1.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.34%	6.89%	+4.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.63%	8.04%	+6.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.90%	12.68%	+7.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.54%	12.68%	+9.86%

OVL vs. IVVW - Expense Ratio Comparison

OVL has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than IVVW's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

OVL vs. IVVW - Dividend Comparison

OVL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.38%, less than IVVW's 19.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	19.85%	18.55%	13.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
OVL Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF	6.38%	2.99%	3.10%	3.33%	3.85%	3.63%	2.43%	0.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OVL and IVVW in my portfolio?

OVL and IVVW have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OVL or IVVW?

OVL has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to IVVW (3.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OVL dropped -35.49% vs IVVW's -16.79%.

Which ETF is better, OVL or IVVW?

On 1-year performance, OVL leads with 25.82% vs 16.65% for IVVW. On fees, IVVW is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IVVW has been the lower-risk option at 3.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OVL or IVVW?

Over the 1-year period, OVL has performed better with a 25.82% return vs 16.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OVL or IVVW?

IVVW is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for OVL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OVL or IVVW?

IVVW has the higher dividend yield at 19.85%, compared with 6.38% for OVL.

What is the main difference between OVL and IVVW?

They also come from different issuers: Liquid Strategies and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for OVL and 0.25% for IVVW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVVW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.78), 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.