IGI vs IVV
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, IGI or IVV?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | IGI | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $102M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.01% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 415 | 508 |
| YTD Return | -2.89% | +12.39%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.12% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.92% | +21.38%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.97% | +13.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.3%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.0% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,601 | $18,844Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 26, 2009 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2009 to Sep 18, 2026 (17.2 years).
IGI 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IGI vs IVV Performance
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. (IGI) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IGI returned -4.12% while IVV returned +16.61%. Year to date, IGI is down 2.89% versus a gain of 12.39% for IVV.
Over three years, IGI compounded at +3.92% per year against +21.38% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are -2.97% and +13.51% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +13.60% annualized vs +0.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 11.3% for IGI. 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 -34.0% for IGI 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 0.40. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGI charges 0.85% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $3 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IGI currently yields 5.01% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of IVV's money is in holdings IGI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for IGI, our book for it covers 1.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 6 positions we hold weights for in IGI and 490 in IVV, against full books of 415 and 508.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IGI | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCitigroup Inc 6.250% Perp Sr:Ii | 0.53% | 0.34% | 0.19% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IGI 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, IGI or IVV?
IGI has an expense ratio of 0.85% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IGI or IVV?
Over the past year IGI returned -4.12% vs +16.61% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), IGI annualized +0.04% vs +13.60% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGI or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 11.3% for IGI. Worst drawdown: IGI -34.0% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both IGI and IVV?
IGI and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.40, 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, IGI or IVV?
IGI yields 5.01% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IGI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than IGI?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.