IMCG vs VOO
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, IMCG or VOO?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. IMCG is less concentrated, with 12.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%.
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 | IMCG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $4.0B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.61% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 265 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +18.31%Best | +12.50% |
| 1Y Return | +15.24% | +17.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.86% | +21.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.72% | +12.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,843 | $18,384Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.3%Best | 36.4% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 11, 2026 (16 years).
IMCG 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.
IMCG vs VOO Performance
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IMCG) 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 IMCG returned +15.24% while VOO returned +17.58%. Year to date, IMCG is up 18.31% versus a gain of 12.50% for VOO.
Over three years, IMCG compounded at +17.86% per year against +21.27% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +6.72% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.41% annualized vs +13.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IMCG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% 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 -35.1% for IMCG 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMCG charges 0.06% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $3 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IMCG currently yields 0.61% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
77.5% of IMCG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 12.2% of VOO's money is in holdings IMCG also owns.
Most of IMCG is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
182 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in IMCG and 505 in VOO, against full books of 265 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 314 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for IMCG (87.3% of the fund), and 70 for IMCG that do not appear in VOO (20.4%).
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 IMCG | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTNTFortinet Inc. | 1.35% | 0.15% | 1.20% |
| FCXFreeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc | 1.32% | 0.14% | 1.18% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc. | 1.23% | 0.19% | 1.04% |
| JCIJohnson Controls International Plc | 1.24% | 0.14% | 1.10% |
| CMICummins Inc. | 1.18% | 0.15% | 1.03% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc. Class A | 1.17% | 0.13% | 1.04% |
| RCLRoyal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | 1.08% | 0.12% | 0.96% |
| DASHDoordash Inc | 1.03% | 0.11% | 0.92% |
| ORLYO'reilly Automotive, Inc. | 1.02% | 0.12% | 0.90% |
| AONAon Plc | 1.02% | 0.11% | 0.91% |
77.5% of IMCG 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, IMCG or VOO?
IMCG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IMCG or VOO?
Over the past year IMCG returned +15.24% vs +17.58% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IMCG annualized +13.37% vs +13.41% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IMCG or VOO?
IMCG has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: IMCG -35.1% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both IMCG and VOO?
IMCG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 IMCG and VOO?
77.5% of IMCG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 12.2% of VOO's is in holdings IMCG also owns. They hold 182 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in IMCG and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, IMCG or VOO?
IMCG yields 0.61% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than IMCG?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. IMCG is less concentrated, with 12.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.