Generated September 5, 2026.
Overview
IVE and IVW are both S&P 500 factor ETFs from iShares that split the broad market into value and growth segments. The two funds are complementary halves of the same parent index and have identical expense ratios, but differ sharply in yield, beta, and size.
How they differ
The most visible difference is income: IVE yields 1.52% against IVW's 0.36%, a gap driven by value stocks' tendency to pay higher dividends and lower reinvestment needs. Beta tells the second story—IVE has a beta of 0.77, making it less volatile than the broad market, while IVW's 1.22 beta means it swings harder with market moves, a natural feature of growth stocks. In terms of scale, IVW is the larger fund at $77.3B, compared to IVE's $50.2B, likely reflecting investor preference for growth exposure over the past two decades. Both charge 0.18% in fees and have been in operation since 05/22/2000, so cost and longevity are not points of separation.
Who each is best for
IVE: Fits investors seeking dividend income and downside cushion through lower-volatility equity exposure; pairs well with growth holdings to balance a portfolio tilted toward appreciation.
IVW: Fits investors prioritizing capital appreciation over current income and willing to accept higher beta in exchange for growth-stock exposure and the potential for stronger long-term earnings expansion.
Key risks to know
- Factor rotation risk. Value and growth cycles revert; periods of sustained growth outperformance can drag IVE's returns relative to broad-market indexes, while IVW may lag during value rallies. Holdings in each fund are concentrated in their respective factor tilts and do not diversify across the style spectrum.
- Valuation sensitivity. IVE's lower-priced constituents may face deterioration in fundamentals or stay-depressed multiples; IVW's richly valued growth stocks are vulnerable to interest-rate shocks and margin compression if earnings growth disappoints.
- Momentum and concentration. Both funds inherit the S&P 500's large-cap lean, but IVW's growth index tends to concentrate more heavily in mega-cap technology and communication stocks, amplifying sector and single-name risk relative to IVE.
- Dividend sustainability. IVE's higher yield relies on the continued willingness of value-stock payers to maintain or grow distributions; economic downturns or capital-allocation shifts can pressure dividend coverage.
Bottom line
If steady dividend income and lower volatility appeal to you, IVE's higher yield and 0.77 beta stand out; if you're chasing capital growth and can tolerate the 1.22 beta swing, IVW's larger asset base and lower dividend drag may fit better. Neither fund is a "best" choice—they represent different style bets within the same broad index. Past performance in either style does not predict which will lead going forward.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.