ILCG vs VTI
iShares Morningstar Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ILCG or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ILCG led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.0%.
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 | ILCG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.8B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 658 | 3,542 |
| YTD Return | +0.77% | +8.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.29% | +11.14%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.68% | +20.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.18% | +9.84%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.2%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,816 | $15,988Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 50.0% | 34.6%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2004 to Nov 6, 2026 (22.3 years).
ILCG vs VTI 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 22.3 years both funds cover.
ILCG vs VTI Performance
iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ILCG returned +1.29% while VTI returned +11.14%. Year to date, ILCG is up 0.77% versus a gain of 8.54% for VTI.
Over three years, ILCG compounded at +19.68% per year against +20.29% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.18% and +9.84% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, ILCG has the edge at +10.37% annualized vs +9.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ILCG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 15.2% for VTI. 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 -53.2% for ILCG and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILCG charges 0.04% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $3 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILCG currently yields 0.42% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.5% of ILCG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 64.5% of VTI's money is in holdings ILCG also owns.
Most of ILCG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
321 positions in common, counted across the 326 positions we hold weights for in ILCG and 3,464 in VTI, against full books of 658 and 3,542.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 818 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ILCG (32.7% of the fund), and 5 for ILCG that do not appear in VTI (0.5%).
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 ILCG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 15.85% | 7.13% | 8.72% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 7.69% | 6.63% | 1.06% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.00% | 5.19% | 2.19% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.24% | 3.30% | 0.94% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.97% | 2.28% | 2.69% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.56% | 2.76% | 0.80% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.86% | 2.18% | 0.68% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co | 2.97% | 1.34% | 1.63% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 2.86% | 1.36% | 1.50% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.82% | 2.18% | 0.36% |
99.5% of ILCG is already inside VTI.
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, ILCG or VTI?
ILCG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ILCG or VTI?
Over the past year ILCG returned +1.29% vs +11.14% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), ILCG annualized +10.37% vs +9.23% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ILCG or VTI?
ILCG has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ILCG -53.2% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both ILCG and VTI?
ILCG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ILCG and VTI?
99.5% of ILCG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 64.5% of VTI's is in holdings ILCG also owns. They hold 321 positions in common, counted across the 326 positions we hold weights for in ILCG and 3,464 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ILCG or VTI?
ILCG yields 0.42% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ILCG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ILCG led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.