ESG vs IVV
Northern Trust STOXX US ESG Select ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, ESG or IVV?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. ESG led over 1Y and the full window, IVV over 3Y and 5Y. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ESG | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $137M | $886.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 1.10% |
| Holdings | 254 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +15.35%Best | +13.39% |
| 1Y Return | +20.82%Best | +20.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.39% | +21.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.68% | +12.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.5%Best | -33.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,373 | $18,327Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.5% | 37.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2016 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.1 years).
ESG vs IVV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 10.1 years both funds cover.
ESG vs IVV Performance
Northern Trust STOXX US ESG Select ETF (ESG) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year ESG returned +20.82% while IVV returned +20.08%. Year to date, ESG is up 15.35% versus a gain of 13.39% for IVV.
Over three years, ESG compounded at +19.39% per year against +21.29% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +11.68% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, ESG has the edge at +14.98% annualized vs +14.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ESG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 15.3% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -32.5% for ESG and -33.9% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESG charges 0.32% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $3 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESG currently yields 0.87% against 1.10% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
95.7% of ESG's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 65.3% of IVV's money is in holdings ESG also owns.
Most of ESG is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
216 positions in common, counted across the 250 positions we hold weights for in ESG and 505 in IVV, against full books of 254 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 283 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for ESG (34.1% of the fund), and 24 for ESG that do not appear in IVV (1.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ESG | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 5.12% | 7.98% | 2.86% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.79% | 6.86% | 2.07% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.91% | 5.44% | 0.47% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.06% | 2.98% | 2.08% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.53% | 4.01% | 0.48% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.12% | 1.51% | 2.61% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 3.93% | 1.45% | 2.48% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.47% | 1.39% | 2.08% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 2.87% | 1.43% | 1.44% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.65% | 0.94% | 1.71% |
95.7% of ESG is already inside IVV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ESG or IVV?
ESG has an expense ratio of 0.32% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESG or IVV?
Over the past year ESG returned +20.82% vs +20.08% for IVV, so ESG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), ESG annualized +14.98% vs +14.20% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESG or IVV?
ESG has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 15.3% for IVV. Worst drawdown: ESG -32.5% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both ESG and IVV?
ESG and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ESG and IVV?
95.7% of ESG's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 65.3% of IVV's is in holdings ESG also owns. They hold 216 positions in common, counted across the 250 positions we hold weights for in ESG and 505 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESG or IVV?
ESG yields 0.87% while IVV yields 1.10%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than ESG?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. ESG led over 1Y and the full window, IVV over 3Y and 5Y. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.