TUG vs. IVV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TUG (STF Tactical Growth ETF) and IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TUG is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by STF, while IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. TUG is actively managed, while IVV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TUG returned 23.61%/yr vs 22.43%/yr for IVV. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TUG charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for IVV.

Performance

TUG vs. IVV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in STF Tactical Growth ETF (TUG) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TUG achieves a 20.36% return, which is significantly higher than IVV's 10.85% return.

TUG

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 11.01%
• YTD: 20.36%
• 6M: 19.04%
• 1Y: 40.10%
• 3Y*: 23.61%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IVV

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 4.97%
• YTD: 10.85%
• 6M: 10.87%
• 1Y: 28.00%
• 3Y*: 22.43%
• 5Y*: 13.88%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

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

TUG vs. IVV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
TUG STF Tactical Growth ETF	20.36%	20.43%	19.37%	38.24%	-12.62%
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	10.85%	17.85%	24.93%	26.31%	-0.52%

Correlation

The correlation between TUG and IVV is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 2022	0.86

The correlation between TUG and IVV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

TUG vs. IVV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TUG	IVV
Technology	54.6%	35.6%
Communication Services	15.4%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	4.9%
Healthcare	4.1%	8.5%
Industrials	3.0%	8.3%
Utilities	1.4%	2.4%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.8%
Energy	0.7%	3.5%
Financial Services	0.3%	11.8%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.9%

Return for Risk

TUG vs. IVV — Risk / Return Rank

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

TUG

TUG Risk / Return Rank: 70
TUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
TUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
TUG Omega Ratio Rank: 70
TUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
TUG Martin Ratio Rank: 67

IVV

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

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.

TUG vs. IVV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for STF Tactical Growth ETF (TUG) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). 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.

	TUG	IVV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	2.39	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	3.25	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.43	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	3.17	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.47	14.71	-2.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TUG vs. IVV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the IVV Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TUG and IVV, 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

	TUG	IVV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	2.39	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.12	0.45	+0.67

Drawdowns

TUG vs. IVV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TUG drawdown since its inception was -22.27%, smaller than the maximum IVV drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TUG and IVV.

Drawdown Indicators

	TUG	IVV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.27%	-55.25%	+32.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.31%	-8.89%	-3.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.27%	-18.75%	-3.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.53%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-0.76%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.31%	-10.78%	+6.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.22%	1.91%	+1.31%

Volatility

TUG vs. IVV - Volatility Comparison

STF Tactical Growth ETF (TUG) has a higher volatility of 4.30% compared to iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) at 2.87%. This indicates that TUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IVV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TUG	IVV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	2.87%	+1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.23%	8.90%	+3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.16%	11.80%	+4.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.02%	16.88%	+1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.02%	18.05%	-0.03%

TUG vs. IVV - Expense Ratio Comparison

TUG has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than IVV's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

TUG vs. IVV - Dividend Comparison

TUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, more than IVV's 1.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	1.06%	1.17%	1.30%	1.44%	1.66%	1.20%	1.57%	1.85%	2.21%	1.75%	2.01%	2.27%
TUG STF Tactical Growth ETF	1.43%	1.75%	4.97%	1.34%	1.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TUG and IVV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, TUG and IVV 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, TUG or IVV?

TUG has higher volatility (4.30%) compared to IVV (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TUG dropped -22.27% vs IVV's -55.25%.

Which ETF is better, TUG or IVV?

On 3-year performance, TUG leads with 23.61% vs 22.43% for IVV. On fees, IVV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IVV has been the lower-risk option at 2.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TUG or IVV?

Over the 3-year period, TUG has performed better with a 23.61% return vs 22.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TUG or IVV?

IVV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for TUG.

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

TUG has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 1.06% for IVV.

What is the main difference between TUG and IVV?

TUG is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while IVV is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: STF and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for TUG and 0.03% for IVV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.39), 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.