Is IVV:ASX ETF a good investment right now?
The iShares S&P 500 ETF, more commonly known by its ticker $IVV, has seen greatly increased trading volume in 2024, with the ETF making its way to the top of Stake’s most traded Australian shares list for March 2024. $IVV holds the top 500 U.S. stocks, and with the S&P 500 soaring, the ETF has seen an explosion of trading volume in Q1 2024, with a 116% increase in buy orders placed compared to Q1 2023.
Is IVV a good investment for the long term?
$IVV has increased 32.95% over the last year and 16.66% over the past five years, as of 31 March 2024. Since its inception, it has had a total return of 6.84% (source: BlackRock).
It has been one of the best index funds for investors who want broad exposure to U.S. equities for further diversification of their portfolio. The investment is considered to be better for investors with a medium-to-high risk tolerance who seek long-term growth.
The best long-term investment can vary for each investor based on their financial goals and risk tolerance, so it's important to do your research and align on the right investments for you.
How to buy IVV shares in Australia?
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to buy $IVV shares in Australia:
1. Open a stock investing account
To invest in the iShares S&P 500 ETF ($IVV), you'll need to sign up to an investing platform with access to the Australian Securities Exchange.
2. Fund your account
Complete an application with your personal and financial details. Fund your account with a bank transfer, debit card or even Apple/Google Pay.
3. Search for the ticker symbol ‘IVV’
Find the asset by searching for the ETF name or ticker symbol. Make sure you select the correct asset since there is an $IVV ETF also listed on Wall St. Do your own research to ensure it is the right investment product for your own circumstances.
4. Choose an order type and buy the asset
Buy on any trading day with a market, limit or stop order. Look into dollar cost averaging to spread out your risk, which smooths out buying at consistent intervals.
5. Monitor your investment
Optimise your portfolio by tracking how the security performs with an eye on the long term. You may be eligible for dividends and shareholder voting rights that affect your shares.
This guide aims to equip you with the necessary steps to begin your investment journey in the $IVV ETF. Remember, investing involves risks, and it's important to do your research or consult with a financial advisor to align your investments with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
IVV share price and performance
At the time of writing this article, the $IVV share price is $52.78.
The exchange-traded fund is up 13.46% YTD (as of 04 April 2024) and currently trading around its all-time high.
What is the IVV management fee?
As of 04 April 2024, the $IVV management fee is 0.03%, as detailed in the current prospectus.
IVV minimum investment
The minimum investment is $500 if you wish to place a buy order on $IVV.
The ASX requires a minimum investment when purchasing shares in any ASX-listed security for the first time. It is known as the Minimum Marketable Parcel rule.
Stake is a CHESS-sponsored platform so to invest in $IVV the minimum amount of your first order must be $500. Once the minimum marketable parcel is met, you can place smaller order sizes to get more shares in $IVV.
IVV holdings
$IVV holds the top 500 U.S. stocks, with the top 10 holdings depicted below.
The fund has strong exposure to tech companies with four out of the top 10 companies held being in the Information Technology sector. The Information Technology sector makes up 29.55% of $IVV, the largest representation of any sector in the ETF.
After Information Technology, the next largest sectors represented in $IVV are the Financials, Healthcare and Consumer Discretionary sectors.
Ticker | Company Name | Sector | Market Value | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Corporation | Information Technology | $32,223,073,979.52 | 7.15% | |
Apple, Inc. | Information Technology | $25,218,618,773.04 | 5.60% | |
NVIDIA Corporation | Information Technology | $22,735,329,637.68 | 5.05% | |
Amazon.com Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | $16,995,807,826.41 | 3.77% | |
Meta Platforms Inc | Communication | $11,259,865,924.44 | 2.50% | |
Alphabet Inc. - Class A Shares | Communication | $9,372,406,498.56 | 2.08% | |
Alphabet Inc. - Class C Shares | Communication | $7,913,323,192.06 | 1.76% | |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Hld B | Financials | $7,843,070,510.40 | 1.74% | |
Eli Lilly and Company | Healthcare | $6,268,776,914.60 | 1.39% | |
Broadcom Inc. | Information Technology | $6,062,143,579.28 | 1.35% |
Data as of 2 April 2024.
Does IVV pay dividends?
$IVV has paid a consistent dividend each quarter since its inception in 2008.
Its upcoming dividend is priced at $0.1398 per share and is scheduled for payment on 11 April 2024.
The 15:1 stock split in December 2022 saw the average dividend payout drop from between $1-$2 to a dividend between $0.13-$0.18 as of April 2024.
What is the dividend yield of iShares S&P 500 ETF ($IVV)?
The dividend yield for the iShares S&P 500 ETF is 1.25% as of April 2024.
Comparing IVV to other S&P 500 ETFs
It’s a smart decision to look at all the options available to you if you are looking to diversify your portfolio by covering the U.S. market. It's crucial to understand that past performance is not indicative of future results and that investing in any asset carries inherent risks.
While $IVV may currently be the most popular U.S. index fund on Stake, there are many ETF options that provide exposure to some of the world’s largest companies listed in America.
✅ Learn how to invest in the S&P 500 from Australia→
IVV vs SPY
The SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust ($SPY) is a very similar ETF to $IVV. Both provide exposure to the 500 largest US-listed companies and are designed to track the performance of the S&P 500 Index.
Two key differences to consider are:
- The management cost of $SPY is 0.0945% vs 0.03% of $IVV.
- The accessibility of $IVV is far better for investors since the share price of the fund is much lower. As of 05 April, $IVV is sitting around the $52 mark, while $SPY is currently $782, making it far harder to invest in for investors with less capital.
👉Learn more at IVV vs SPY on our ETF comparison tool.
IVV vs VTS
While $IVV covers the performance of the S&P 500 Index, the Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF ($VTS) tracks the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index. This gives investors exposure to 100% of the investable equity market in the United States (it includes 3,500 constituents across mega, mid, small and micro capitalisations).
👉Learn more at IVV vs VTS on our ETF comparison tool.
IVV vs NDQ
The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF ($NDQ) tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index, focusing primarily on technology, telecommunications and retail companies. This ETF will not provide as much diversification as $IVV, but is an option for tech enthusiastic investors.
👉Learn more at IVV vs NDQ on our ETF comparison tool.
✅ Learn the steps to start investing in Nasdaq from Australia→
Is IVV the best S&P 500 ETF?
The best S&P 500 ETF will be different for each investor and will be determined by each person’s investment time horizon, strategy, risk tolerance and goals.
$IVV has a low management fee, solid trading volume, significant assets under management and is accessible.
It's essential to conduct thorough research, keep updated on market developments and be aware of the associated risks.
💡Related: Find a U.S. index fund to invest in on Wall St→
IVV:ASX ETF FAQs
The iShares S&P 500 ETF ($IVV) is considered a solid option for investors that fit into the following criteria:
- Interested in gaining exposure to established U.S. companies and the overall U.S. market
- Have a long-term time horizon
- Seek growth opportunities
- Have a medium-to-high risk tolerance
Any investment is subject to risk and it depends on your risk tolerance to determine if an asset is a good addition to your portfolio. Blackrock has stated the $IVV ETF is appropriate for investors with a medium-to-high risk/return profile.
This does not constitute financial product advice nor a recommendation to invest in the securities listed. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. When you invest, your capital is at risk. You should consider your own investment objectives, financial situation, particular needs. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may receive back less than your original investment. As always, do your own research and consider seeking appropriate financial advice before investing.
Any advice provided by Stake is of general nature only and does not take into account your specific circumstances. Trading and volume data from the Stake investing platform for reference purposes only, the investment choices of others may not be appropriate for your needs and is not a reliable indicator of performance.
Megan is a markets analyst at Stake, with 7 years of experience in the world of investing and a Master’s degree in Business and Economics from The University of Sydney Business School. Megan has extensive knowledge of the UK markets, working as an analyst at ARCH Emerging Markets - a UK investment advisory platform focused on private equity. Previously she also worked as an analyst at Australian robo advisor Stockspot, where she researched ASX listed equities and helped construct the company's portfolios.
