In my view, the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) is one of the most effective ways to invest in the US share market. The exchange-traded fund (ETF) has recovered strongly since the April tariff sell-off, rising by approximately 20% from 22 April 2025, as the chart below shows.
However, as the investment disclaimer goes, past performance is not (necessarily) a reliable indicator of future performance.
I'm certainly not expecting another 20% rise in the next three months. The right question is to ask whether the IVV ETF is an attractive buy today.
Aussies can choose from a variety of investments; it doesn't have to be the IVV ETF. We can buy different ETFs that focus on other markets, sectors, or quality metrics.
Below are my thoughts on the current attractiveness of the iShares S&P 500 ETF.
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Positives on the IVV ETF
The iShares S&P 500 ETF tracks the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX), an index of 500 of the largest businesses listed in the US.
I think it's a very effective investment because many of the world's biggest and strongest businesses are listed in the US, and this fund gives exposure to them all. I'm thinking of names like Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Meta Platforms, Alphabet, Broadcom, Tesla, Berkshire Hathaway, Netflix, Costco, Walmart, and so on. Plenty of these businesses generate profits from across the world, giving them geographic diversification.
These businesses are usually at the forefront of how society is changing or what we use, such as AI, cloud computing, online video, smartphones, social media, and so on. Their financial strength allows them to invest significantly in research and development, unlocking new products and services, which creates new earnings streams.
The annual management cost of the ETF is 0.04%, which is very pleasingly low for investors, as it means almost all of the value of the fund stays with investors rather than being taken by the fund manager.
The net returns on the IVV ETF have been very strong, thanks to the performance of the underlying holdings. In the ten years to June 2025, it has returned an average of 15.2% per year, which is exceptionally strong. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance, of course.
This fund currently has just over a third invested in IT businesses, which I'd suggest is the best sector to be invested in because these companies usually have appealing profit margins and good growth outlooks.
Negatives about the iShares S&P 500 ETF
There are a number of positives about the fund, but there are a few growing negatives I'm also thinking about.
Firstly, the strength of the fund over the last several years has largely been driven by a few large US tech giants. And the larger they become, the bigger allocation they have in the fund. In my mind, this means the ASX ETF may be less diversified than it was several years ago. Though that may not be a bad thing if those are the best shares to own.
Then again, the bigger the businesses become the slower the growth rate is likely to be. Due to the size of the numbers we're talking, it becomes increasingly difficult for a US$1 trillion (and larger) business to grow its earnings meaningfully each year.
I'm also wary that the price-earnings (P/E) ratio has steadily risen over the years, implying the fund is trading at a more expensive valuation. That doesn't mean it can't produce returns, but it's something to keep in mind.
Finally, the Trump factor also adds some uncertainty about what could happen next. Tariffs are a significant change in the global economic picture and they may have an impact on the US economy (as well as other decisions, including potential unknown future policies).
Foolish Takeaway
Overall, I think it's still good to own and invest in the IVV ETF, but I'm not expecting the next five years to be as good as the last five years for returns because of the negatives I've outlined.
