ICF vs VOO
iShares Select US REIT ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, ICF or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.8%.
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 | ICF | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.0B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.40% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 34 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +8.38% | +12.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.56% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.19% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.30% | +13.49%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.2% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,667 | $18,827Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.8% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 29, 2001 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (16 years).
ICF vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
ICF vs VOO Performance
iShares Select US REIT ETF (ICF) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ICF returned +7.56% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, ICF is up 8.38% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, ICF compounded at +9.19% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +1.30% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.39% annualized vs +5.55%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ICF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -40.2% for ICF and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICF charges 0.32% per year while VOO 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, ICF currently yields 2.40% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
90.5% of ICF's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.7% of VOO's money is in holdings ICF also owns.
Most of ICF is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
24 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in ICF and 494 in VOO, against full books of 34 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 31 and 494 positions we hold weights for.
VOO holds 463 positions ICF does not, 97.5% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.55%, AAPL 7.05%, MSFT 5.36%, AMZN 4.13%, GOOGL 3.24%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ICF | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 8.14% | 0.26% | 7.88% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 8.15% | 0.21% | 7.94% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 8.20% | 0.16% | 8.04% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 7.09% | 0.13% | 6.96% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 5.97% | 0.12% | 5.85% |
| EQRVivmark Residential | 4.67% | 0.04% | 4.63% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 4.50% | 0.09% | 4.41% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 4.40% | 0.10% | 4.30% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 4.39% | 0.07% | 4.32% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 4.29% | 0.08% | 4.21% |
90.5% of ICF is already inside VOO.
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, ICF or VOO?
ICF has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ICF or VOO?
Over the past year ICF returned +7.56% vs +16.61% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), ICF annualized +5.55% vs +13.39% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ICF or VOO?
ICF has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: ICF -40.2% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both ICF and VOO?
ICF and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 ICF and VOO?
90.5% of ICF's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.7% of VOO's is in holdings ICF also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in ICF and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, ICF or VOO?
ICF yields 2.40% while VOO yields 1.04%, so ICF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than ICF?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.