IGRO vs SPY
iShares International Dividend Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. IGRO offers more diversification with 584 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IGRO | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $1.3B | $821.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 2.62% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 584 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +10.47% | +12.22% | |
| 1Y Return | +17.53% | +20.83% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.84% | +21.70% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.77% | +12.98% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | May 17, 2016 | Jan 22, 1993 |
IGRO vs SPY Performance
iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (IGRO) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IGRO returned +17.53% while SPY returned +20.83%. Year to date, IGRO is up 10.47% versus a gain of 12.22% for SPY.
Over three years, IGRO compounded at +17.84% per year against +21.70% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +8.77% and +12.98% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +8.79% annualized vs +7.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.7% for IGRO. 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 -37.0% for IGRO and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGRO charges 0.15% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $9 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IGRO currently yields 2.62% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
IGRO and SPY share 3 holdings out of 1025 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.1% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IGRO or SPY?
IGRO has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $6 per year of difference.
Which performed better, IGRO or SPY?
Over the past year IGRO returned +17.53% vs +20.83% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), IGRO annualized +7.95% vs +8.79% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, IGRO or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.7% for IGRO. Worst drawdown: IGRO -37.0% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both IGRO and SPY?
IGRO and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between IGRO and SPY?
IGRO and SPY share 3 common holdings with a 0.1% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 1025 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGRO or SPY?
IGRO yields 2.62% while SPY yields 1.01%, so IGRO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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