IVW ETF: What Is It? Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings and Alternative ETFs Explained
The iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (IVW) is a core growth holding that offers concentrated exposure to the growth style of the S&P 500. Its strengths are a heavy Big Tech weighting and quarterly dividends, and differences in index, expense ratio and AUM versus VUG, SCHG, SPYG and VONG are the key selection criteria.
What Is the iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF?
It is a passive ETF managed by BlackRock iShares that tracks the S&P 500 Growth Index. It holds S&P 500 constituents classified by growth factor criteria, weighted by market capitalization.
It suits asset allocation investors who want concentrated growth-style exposure within their S&P 500 core allocation, as well as long-term investors who prefer to manage growth and value styles separately.
It is an ETF managed passively (index tracking) by BlackRock iShares.
How Does the iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | S&P 500 Growth Index |
| Management Style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Style | Growth |
| Dividend Frequency | Quarterly |
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% |
| Issuer | BlackRock iShares |
It holds stocks from the S&P 500 Index that are classified by growth factor criteria, weighted by market capitalization. Because IWF and VONG track the Russell 1000 Growth Index, and VUG and SCHG track the CRSP large-cap growth index, their tracked indexes differ, which leads to some differences in holdings.
- Directly tracks S&P 500 Growth
- The standard growth ETF in the iShares lineup
- Can be managed separately from an S&P 500 core holding
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Expense Ratio)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $76.8B, and the Expense Ratio is 0.18% per year.
In the table, VUG and SCHG are variants tracking the CRSP US large-cap growth index, IWF and VONG are variants tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index, and SPYG is a direct substitute that tracks the same S&P 500 Growth index at a lower expense ratio.
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Performance and Trends
With a high weighting in technology and consumer growth stocks, it has tended to rise more than core ETFs in bull markets, while showing somewhat greater volatility during rising interest rate and tech stock correction cycles.
It belongs to the group of mega ETFs that enjoy deep demand for growth-style exposure and see pronounced inflows when AI and semiconductor momentum is strong. Demand for managing it separately from an S&P 500 core holding also contributes to inflows.
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Pros and Cons
Its main strength is concentrated S&P 500 growth exposure, while an expense ratio somewhat higher than SPYG, SCHG and VONG and a Big Tech tilt should be considered in advance.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
In the table, SPYG is a direct substitute tracking the same S&P 500 Growth index at a lower expense ratio, VUG and SCHG are variants tracking the CRSP US large-cap growth index, and IWF and VONG are variants tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index. You can also consider other variants such as the value-style IVE and SPYV, the S&P 500 core funds VOO and IVV, and the broad market fund VTI.
| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | $85.06 | -3.0% | $227.5B | 0.03% | 0.41% | +2.8% | |
| iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | $117.61 | -2.9% | $123.9B | 0.18% | 0.37% | -2.8% | |
| Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF | $34.32 | -2.5% | $63.3B | 0.04% | 0.41% | +3.4% | |
| State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | $116.42 | -2.6% | $55.5B | 0.04% | 0.5% | +8.1% | |
| Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index ETF | $121.09 | -2.9% | $46.1B | 0.06% | 0.48% | -2.8% |
| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp | 0.28% | $204.64 | -4.2% | $4.93T | 25.9 | 0.38% |
| MSFT | Microsoft Corp | 0.17% | $521.91 | -1.6% | $3.88T | 27.3 | 0.74% |
| AAPL | Apple Inc | 0.12% | $344.63 | -1.2% | $5.03T | 39.5 | 0.32% |
| GOOG | Alphabet Inc | 0.06% | $278.22 | -1.4% | $3.41T | 14.5 | 0.31% |
| GOOGL | Alphabet Inc | 0.06% | $279.84 | -1.4% | $3.41T | 14.6 | 0.31% |
| AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 0.10% | $326.08 | -5.5% | $1.56T | 41.6 | 0.8% |
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in IVW. Concentrated S&P 500 growth exposure is its strength, but the expense ratio gap, Big Tech concentration and style cycle volatility deserve another check before buying, along with a review of your position size and diversification strategy.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Expense ratio gap versus SPYG, SCHG and VONG | Somewhat higher |
| 📈 Style Exposure | Balance between growth and value weightings | Growth concentrated |
| 📊 Top Holding Concentration | Trend in Big Tech weighting | Very high |
| 💱 Exchange Rate | Impact on returns converted to Korean won | No currency hedge |
Big Tech concentration, a reversal of the style cycle and exchange rate movements are the main drivers of short-term volatility. In phases of rising interest rates and weak growth, drawdowns can be larger than for value-style ETFs, so it is worth reviewing your position size and diversification strategy together.
With its concentrated S&P 500 growth-style exposure, it is regarded as a standard choice. If expense ratio is the priority, SPYG, SCHG and VONG are suitable variants; if you need balance with the value style, IVE and SPYV; and for broad market exposure, VTI.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of May 22, 2026.