FGSM vs IVV
Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FGSM or IVV?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FGSM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | FGSM | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.82% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $52M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.10% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 7 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +15.66%Best | +11.51% |
| 1Y Return | +20.57%Best | +15.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.66% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.8%Best | 12.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.7%Best | -18.8% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $14,087Best | $12,989 |
| Top 10 Weight | - | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | Frontier Asset Management | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 19, 2024 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 20, 2024 to Sep 15, 2026 (1.7 years).
FGSM 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
FGSM vs IVV Performance
Frontier Asset Global Small Cap Equity ETF (FGSM) is an ETF from Frontier Asset Management and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year FGSM returned +20.57% while IVV returned +15.96%. Year to date, FGSM is up 15.66% versus a gain of 11.51% for IVV.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 11.8% for FGSM. 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 -17.7% for FGSM and -18.8% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGSM charges 0.82% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $82 vs $3 annually, a gap of $79 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FGSM currently yields 4.10% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 6 holdings in FGSM and 490 in IVV, totalling 100.0% and 99.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 6 positions we hold weights for in FGSM and 490 in IVV, against full books of 7 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 482 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FGSM (98.6% of the fund), and 6 for FGSM that do not appear in IVV (100.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FGSM 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, FGSM or IVV?
FGSM has an expense ratio of 0.82% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $79 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FGSM or IVV?
Over the past year FGSM returned +20.57% vs +15.96% for IVV, so FGSM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FGSM annualized +22.33% vs +16.63% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGSM or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 11.8% for FGSM. Worst drawdown: FGSM -17.7% vs IVV -18.8%.
Should I hold both FGSM and IVV?
FGSM and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FGSM or IVV?
FGSM yields 4.10% while IVV yields 1.06%, so FGSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FGSM?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FGSM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.