IVLU — iShares MSCI International Value Factor ETF
iShares (BlackRock) · Expense Ratio: 0.3% · Factor/Smart Beta · 11bp above the Factor/Smart Beta category average of 0.19%
Key Facts
| Ticker | IVLU |
| Full Name | iShares MSCI International Value Factor ETF |
| Provider | iShares (BlackRock) |
| Expense Ratio | 0.3% |
| Category | Factor/Smart Beta |
| Assets Under Management | $1.5B |
| Inception Year | 2015 (11 years ago) |
| Number of Holdings | 320 |
| Dividend Yield | ~3.5% (high) |
| Top Holdings | NVS, HSBC, BP |
What Is IVLU?
IVLU, managed by iShares (BlackRock), launched in 2015, is a smaller fund — check bid-ask spreads before making large trades in the Factor/Smart Beta category. Smart-beta factor ETF targeting specific investment factors like quality, momentum, or low volatility. With $1.5B in assets under management, investors should verify current bid-ask spreads, especially for large orders.
IVLU in a FIRE Portfolio
This fund serves as a satellite position — adding targeted exposure to factor/smart beta within a FIRE portfolio built around a broad-market core.
Satellite holdings typically make up 5-20% of your portfolio. This fund complements a broad-market core — use it as a tilt, not the foundation. Keep your core holdings at 70-80% and use this for targeted exposure.
Cost Analysis: How IVLU's 0.3% Fee Affects Your FIRE Timeline
At 0.3%, IVLU is relatively expensive. Annual cost on a $100K position: $300. Over 30 years, fees could consume approximately 1.8% of total returns. On a $1M FIRE portfolio, cumulative fees approach $30,000. Compare with lower-cost peers in Factor/Smart Beta: .
Dividend Income Potential
With a high dividend yield of approximately 3.5%, here's what IVLU could generate in annual income at different portfolio sizes:
| Portfolio Value | Annual Dividend Income | Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $3,500/year | $292/month |
| $250,000 | $8,750/year | $729/month |
| $500,000 | $17,500/year | $1,458/month |
| $1,000,000 | $35,000/year | $2,917/month |
Frequently Asked Questions About IVLU
What is the expense ratio for IVLU?
IVLU has an expense ratio of 0.3%. This is relatively expensive — on a $100K portfolio, annual fees are $300. 11bp above the factor/smart beta category average of 0.19%.
Is IVLU good for a FIRE portfolio?
This fund serves as a satellite position — adding targeted exposure to factor/smart beta within a FIRE portfolio built around a broad-market core. Its 0.3% expense ratio is relatively expensive for the Factor/Smart Beta category.
How does the 0.3% fee affect long-term returns?
At 0.3%, annual costs are $300/$100K. Over 30 years, this could reduce your final portfolio value by 1.8% or more. For a $1M FIRE portfolio, that's $18,000+ in lost compound growth.
Is IVLU liquid enough for my portfolio?
IVLU manages $1.5B in assets — a smaller fund — check bid-ask spreads before making large trades. For most individual FIRE investors making regular contributions, liquidity is sufficient. If you're investing large lump sums ($100K+), use limit orders to control your execution price.
Similar ETFs in Factor/Smart Beta
- QUAL — iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (0.15% · Satellite Position)
- SPLV — Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (0.25% · Satellite Position)
- USMV — iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (0.15% · Satellite Position)
- MTUM — iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (0.15% · Satellite Position)
- VLUE — iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (0.15% · Satellite Position)
- SIZE — iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF (0.15% · Satellite Position)