iShares
Total Performance ChallengeSM:
Challenge your assumptions on return, risk, cost and taxes.

Many investors tend to think about an investment's performance just in terms of its return. However, risk, costs and taxes can erode overall performance and undermine even the most considered investment strategy. At iShares, we think in terms of Total PerformanceSM. It's how we design, manage and measure the success of every iShares ETF. What are your assumptions? Are you ready to challenge them?

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Return. Risk. Cost. Taxes.

Challenge your assumptions on each and learn what Total Performance℠ is all about.

Discover how a large cap blend fund of your choice
compares to IVV from iShares.

Your large-cap
blend mutual fund

?

iShares S&P 500
Index Fund

IVV

Your match:

Your large-cap
blend mutual fund

  • SWANX
  • ?
  • IVV

iShares S&P 500
Index Fund

Round 1: Return

SWANX

IVV

Choose one
Which fund had the greater return?

3-Year Total Returns (NAV) as of 06/30/2011

Round 2: Risk

SWANX

IVV

Choose one
Which fund had the lower risk?1

3-Year Standard Deviation as of 06/30/2011

Round 3: Cost

SWANX

IVV

Choose one
Which fund has the lower cost?2

3-Year Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses as of 06/30/2011

Round 4: Taxes

SWANX

IVV

Choose one
Which fund had the greater return
after taxes?3

3-Year After Tax Pre-Liquidation Returns as of 06/30/2011

  • 1
  • Out Of
  • 1

You've come out swinging! Remember, though, there's more to Total Performance than just Return.

back to quiz

  • You Won
  • 3
  • Out
    Of
  • 4
  • Rounds

Any surprises?
iShares has information and tools
to help answer your questions.

It's a quick way to evaluate iShares ETFs and large-cap blend mutual funds, compare their performance, risks, holdings, and costs, and to also generate client-friendly reports reflecting investment results.

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Standardized performance for the funds shown may be obtained by clicking on the fund tickers above. Performance data current to the most recent month end for IVV may be obtained by clicking here.

For more information on the differences between ETFs and mutual funds, please click here.

1. Standard Deviation is a traditional measure of a fund's risk, expressed as an annualized percentage. Specifically, standard deviation measures how widely a fund's returns have deviated from its average over the selected time period. Standard Deviation is calculated using the fund's monthly returns over the selected time period and then annualized.

2. Non-iShares fund fees and expenses data provided by Morningstar is for the fund's previous fiscal year. The funds may have voluntary contractual fee waivers or expense reimbursements, which the respective fund managers may discontinue. For more complete information about fees and expenses, please read the fund's prospectus. BlackRock is not responsible for the accuracy of third-party data.

3. Measures return after taxes on distributions. It assumes fund shares have not been sold.

Data is provided by BlackRock and Morningstar.

Shares of iShares Funds are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

Market returns are based upon the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00pm eastern time (when NAV is normally determined for most iShares Funds), and do not represent the returns you would receive if you traded shares at other times. Load-adjusted returns reflect maximum sales charges. NAV (net asset value) returns would be reduced if the sales charges were included. Sales charges do not apply to iShares Funds and no-load mutual funds and as a result, load-adjusted returns are not shown for those funds.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rate of 35% and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Mutual fund fees and charges may vary depending on where and how they are purchased. Other share classes may differ in fees and expenses.

This information should not be construed as investment advice regarding any security, manager or market.

Carefully consider the iShares Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectuses, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737), or by viewing or downloading a prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

Information is provided by BlackRock and Morningstar and is strictly for illustrative purposes. It should not be deemed an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of any securities. BlackRock is not responsible for the accuracy of third-party data.

Investment comparisons are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be all-inclusive. To better understand the similarities and differences between investments, including investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses, it is important to read the products' prospectuses.

The iShares Funds ("Funds") are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, "BlackRock").

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

iShares fund performance data provided by BlackRock. All other fund data and iShares risk analytics provided by Morningstar, Inc., Copyright 2011.  All Rights Reserved. The data provided by Morningstar herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.

Not FDIC Insured * No Bank Guarantee * May Lose Value

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