FGD vs IVV
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FGD or IVV?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, IVV over the full window. FGD is less concentrated, with 16.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%.
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 | FGD | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $886.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.04% | 1.10% |
| Holdings | 212 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +19.88%Best | +13.39% |
| 1Y Return | +31.63%Best | +20.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.96%Best | +21.29% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.14%Best | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.2% | -55.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,539Best | $18,327 |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.6%Best | 37.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 21, 2007 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 27, 2007 to Sep 4, 2026 (18.8 years).
FGD 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 18.8 years both funds cover.
FGD vs IVV Performance
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year FGD returned +31.63% while IVV returned +20.08%. Year to date, FGD is up 19.88% versus a gain of 13.39% for IVV.
Over three years, FGD compounded at +25.96% per year against +21.29% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +13.14% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.86% annualized vs +2.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 15.7% 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 -70.2% for FGD and -55.3% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGD charges 0.55% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FGD currently yields 5.04% against 1.10% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
11.0% of FGD's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.9% of IVV's money is in holdings FGD also owns.
FGD and IVV share little of their money.
11 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 505 in IVV, against full books of 212 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 486 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FGD (98.4% of the fund), and 10 for FGD that do not appear in IVV (12.9%).
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 FGD | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPQHp Inc. | 1.56% | 0.04% | 1.52% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 1.20% | 0.02% | 1.18% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 1.02% | 0.17% | 0.85% |
| TROWT Rowe Price Grp | 1.10% | 0.04% | 1.06% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.85% | 0.29% | 0.56% |
| PRUPrudential Financial Inc | 1.07% | 0.06% | 1.01% |
| BENFranklin Resources Inc. | 1.02% | 0.02% | 1.00% |
| UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc | 0.89% | 0.12% | 0.77% |
| FFord Motor Co | 0.77% | 0.08% | 0.69% |
| LYBLyondellbasell-a | 0.75% | 0.02% | 0.73% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FGD and IVV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FGD or IVV?
FGD has an expense ratio of 0.55% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FGD or IVV?
Over the past year FGD returned +31.63% vs +20.08% for IVV, so FGD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FGD annualized +2.68% vs +9.86% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGD or IVV?
FGD has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 15.7% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FGD -70.2% vs IVV -55.3%.
Should I hold both FGD and IVV?
FGD and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 FGD and IVV?
11.0% of FGD's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.9% of IVV's is in holdings FGD also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 505 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, FGD or IVV?
FGD yields 5.04% while IVV yields 1.10%, so FGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FGD?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, IVV over the full window. FGD is less concentrated, with 16.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.