FSGS vs IVV
First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FSGS or IVV?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSGS is less concentrated, with 13.3% 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 | FSGS | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.03% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 202 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +6.83% | +11.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.37% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.06% | +20.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.52% | +12.80%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.0% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,474 | $18,262Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.3%Best | 37.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2017 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2017 to Sep 10, 2026 (9.2 years).
FSGS 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
FSGS vs IVV Performance
First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF (FSGS) 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 FSGS returned +4.37% while IVV returned +17.57%. Year to date, FSGS is up 6.83% versus a gain of 11.57% for IVV.
Over three years, FSGS compounded at +9.06% per year against +20.71% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +4.52% and +12.80% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.01% annualized vs +6.58%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FSGS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 16.0% 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 -45.0% for FSGS 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSGS charges 0.60% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSGS currently yields 0.03% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
16.8% of FSGS's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.6% of IVV's money is in holdings FSGS also owns.
FSGS and IVV share little of their money.
17 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FSGS and 505 in IVV, against full books of 202 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 478 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FSGS (98.8% of the fund), and 82 for FSGS that do not appear in IVV (82.0%).
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 FSGS | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEEVVeeva Systems Inc | 1.39% | 0.05% | 1.34% |
| PTCPtc Inc | 1.19% | 0.02% | 1.17% |
| BRBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | 1.16% | 0.03% | 1.13% |
| DXCMDexcom Inc. | 1.13% | 0.05% | 1.08% |
| ERIEErie Indemnity-a | 1.07% | 0.01% | 1.06% |
| IBKRInteractive Brokers Group Inc | 1.02% | 0.06% | 0.96% |
| EFXEquifax Inc. | 1.02% | 0.03% | 0.99% |
| STESteris Plc | 1.02% | 0.03% | 0.99% |
| INCYIncyte Corp. | 1.00% | 0.03% | 0.97% |
| NTRSNorthern Trust Corp. | 0.95% | 0.05% | 0.90% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FSGS 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, FSGS or IVV?
FSGS has an expense ratio of 0.60% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSGS or IVV?
Over the past year FSGS returned +4.37% vs +17.57% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FSGS annualized +6.58% vs +14.01% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSGS or IVV?
FSGS has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 16.0% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FSGS -45.0% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both FSGS and IVV?
FSGS and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 FSGS and IVV?
16.8% of FSGS's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.6% of IVV's is in holdings FSGS also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FSGS and 505 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSGS or IVV?
FSGS yields 0.03% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FSGS?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSGS is less concentrated, with 13.3% 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.