Generated October 11, 2026.
Overview
IVV and VOO are both large-cap U.S. equity ETFs that track the S&P 500 Index, holding identical underlying securities with the same market exposure. The meaningful distinction lies in their issuer (iShares vs. Vanguard), asset base, inception timing, and yield profile — all three track the same index but have accumulated different AUM and generate slightly different distributions to shareholders.
How they differ
Both carry a 0.03% expense ratio, so cost is not a differentiator. VOO is the larger fund by asset base at $1062B compared to IVV's $896B, a gap that reflects VOO's later inception (09/07/2010) versus IVV's earlier launch (05/15/2000). IVV's distribution rate stands at 1.14%, while VOO's is 1.03% — a 0.11% percentage-point spread that may reflect timing of dividend captures, cash drag, or reinvested capital gains across the two fund flows. Both pay distributions quarterly and report a beta of 1.0, meaning they move in lockstep with the underlying index.
- VOO: Designed for investors seeking the larger asset base and Vanguard's operational ecosystem, or those building a new S&P 500 position and indifferent between the two issuers.
Key risks to know
- Index-tracking concentration: Both funds hold identical S&P 500 constituents, meaning they carry the same large-cap concentration risk — the top ten holdings typically represent roughly 30% of the index. A downturn in mega-cap technology or financial stocks affects both identically.
- Cash drag and distribution timing: Slight differences in distribution yield (IVV at 1.14% vs. VOO at 1.03%) may reflect different cash management or dividend timing across the fund year. Investors sensitive to dividend capture mechanics should verify ex-dividend dates and payout schedules. While both are large, established operators, fund closures, mergers, or operational disruptions at either issuer could affect fund continuity.
- Equity market beta: Both funds carry a beta of 1.0 and full exposure to U.S. large-cap equity volatility. A broad market correction will move both in tandem with no hedging or dampening.
Bottom line
If you prioritize the largest available asset base and Vanguard's fund ecosystem, VOO's $1062B offers that scale. If you value a slightly higher distribution rate and don't mind iShares' structure, IVV's 1.14% yield is marginally higher. Both track the identical index with identical expense ratios, so the choice hinges on issuer preference and distribution timing rather than fundamental strategy. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.