FDG vs IVV
American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FDG or IVV?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FDG led over 3Y and the full window, IVV over 1Y and 5Y. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.2%.
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 | FDG | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $413M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 45 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +6.90% | +14.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.56% | +17.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.23%Best | +23.17% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.08% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.0% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.7% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,164 | $19,128Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.2% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | American Century ETFs | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2020 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 2, 2020 to Sep 21, 2026 (6.5 years).
FDG 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 6.5 years both funds cover.
FDG vs IVV Performance
American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF (FDG) is an ETF from American Century ETFs and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year FDG returned +10.56% while IVV returned +17.31%. Year to date, FDG is up 6.90% versus a gain of 14.15% for IVV.
Over three years, FDG compounded at +29.23% per year against +23.17% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +10.08% and +13.85% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, FDG has the edge at +21.47% annualized vs +20.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.0% 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 -43.7% for FDG and -24.5% 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
FDG charges 0.45% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDG currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
76.1% of FDG's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 30.6% of IVV's money is in holdings FDG also owns.
Most of FDG is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, FDG as of Jun 30, 2026 and IVV as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
23 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 490 in IVV, against full books of 45 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 459 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FDG (68.0% of the fund), and 17 for FDG that do not appear in IVV (19.0%).
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 FDG | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 17.27% | 8.07% | 9.20% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 16.00% | 2.39% | 13.61% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 7.05% | 3.84% | 3.21% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.10% | 5.69% | 1.59% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 6.53% | 1.56% | 4.97% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.17% | 1.90% | 1.27% |
| CDNSCadence Design Systems Inc. | 3.75% | 0.14% | 3.61% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.11% | 2.65% | 1.54% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 2.29% | 0.51% | 1.78% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.06% | 0.72% | 1.34% |
76.1% of FDG 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, FDG or IVV?
FDG has an expense ratio of 0.45% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDG or IVV?
Over the past year FDG returned +10.56% vs +17.31% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), FDG annualized +21.47% vs +20.44% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDG or IVV?
FDG has been the more volatile fund at 23.0% annualized versus 15.3% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FDG -43.7% vs IVV -24.5%.
Should I hold both FDG and IVV?
FDG 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 FDG and IVV?
76.1% of FDG's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 30.6% of IVV's is in holdings FDG also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDG or IVV?
FDG yields 0.00% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FDG?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FDG led over 3Y and the full window, IVV over 1Y and 5Y. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.