ILCG vs VYM
iShares Morningstar Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ILCG or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
ILCG led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.3%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Tie | 0.04%Tie |
| AUM | $3.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.43% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 331 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.22% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.26% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.06%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.46% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.2%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,203 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.3% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.8 years).
ILCG vs VYM 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
ILCG vs VYM Performance
iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ILCG returned +12.26% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, ILCG is up 10.22% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, ILCG compounded at +23.06% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.46% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, ILCG has the edge at +11.85% annualized vs +6.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ILCG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 14.5% for VYM. 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 -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILCG charges 0.04% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $4 annually. On income, ILCG currently yields 0.43% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
14.0% of ILCG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 27.0% of VYM's money is in holdings ILCG also owns.
VYM and ILCG share little of their money.
81 positions in common, counted across the 326 positions we hold weights for in ILCG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 331 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 486 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ILCG (70.5% of the fund), and 235 for ILCG that do not appear in VYM (85.4%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.93% | 7.29% | 1.36% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.67% | 2.01% | 1.34% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 0.35% | 1.13% | 0.78% |
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 0.36% | 1.04% | 0.68% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.30% | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| ETNEaton Corp. Plc | 0.21% | 0.69% | 0.48% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc. | 0.28% | 0.54% | 0.26% |
| CMICummins Inc. | 0.27% | 0.41% | 0.14% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 0.19% | 0.48% | 0.29% |
| JCIJohnson Controls International Plc | 0.29% | 0.37% | 0.08% |
27.0% of VYM is already inside ILCG.
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 VYM?
ILCG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VYM charges 0.04%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, ILCG or VYM?
Over the past year ILCG returned +12.26% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), ILCG annualized +11.85% vs +6.95% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ILCG or VYM?
ILCG has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ILCG -53.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both ILCG and VYM?
ILCG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 ILCG and VYM?
27.0% of VYM's money is in holdings ILCG also owns. 27.0% of VYM's is in holdings ILCG also owns. They hold 81 positions in common, counted across the 326 positions we hold weights for in ILCG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ILCG or VYM?
ILCG yields 0.43% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ILCG?
ILCG led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.