IUSG vs SPY
iShares Core S&P US Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, IUSG or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
IUSG has a lower expense ratio. IUSG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.6%.
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 | IUSG | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $32.9B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.51% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 400 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +13.32%Best | +12.47% |
| 1Y Return | +17.75%Best | +17.51% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.36%Best | +21.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.98%Best | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.8% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,408Best | $18,327 |
| Top 10 Weight | 56.6% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 24, 2000 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 28, 2000 to Sep 11, 2026 (26.1 years).
IUSG vs SPY 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 26.1 years both funds cover.
IUSG vs SPY Performance
iShares Core S&P US Growth ETF (IUSG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IUSG returned +17.75% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, IUSG is up 13.32% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, IUSG compounded at +25.36% per year against +21.18% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.98% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, IUSG has the edge at +7.21% annualized vs +6.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IUSG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 15.2% for SPY. 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 -65.8% for IUSG and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IUSG charges 0.04% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $9 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IUSG currently yields 0.51% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
94.9% of IUSG's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 67.6% of SPY's money is in holdings IUSG also owns.
Most of IUSG is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
146 positions in common, counted across the 392 positions we hold weights for in IUSG and 504 in SPY, against full books of 400 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 348 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for IUSG (31.9% of the fund), and 223 for IUSG that do not appear in SPY (4.8%).
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 IUSG | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 13.86% | 7.71% | 6.15% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 9.45% | 5.50% | 3.95% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.96% | 6.83% | 0.87% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 5.55% | 3.33% | 2.22% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.17% | 2.97% | 2.20% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.69% | 4.08% | 0.39% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 4.44% | 2.67% | 1.77% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 3.37% | 1.94% | 1.43% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.63% | 1.51% | 1.12% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway B | 2.48% | 1.42% | 1.06% |
94.9% of IUSG is already inside SPY.
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, IUSG or SPY?
IUSG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while SPY charges 0.09%. IUSG is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IUSG or SPY?
Over the past year IUSG returned +17.75% vs +17.51% for SPY, so IUSG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IUSG annualized +7.21% vs +6.96% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IUSG or SPY?
IUSG has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 15.2% for SPY. Worst drawdown: IUSG -65.8% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both IUSG and SPY?
IUSG and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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 IUSG and SPY?
94.9% of IUSG's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 67.6% of SPY's is in holdings IUSG also owns. They hold 146 positions in common, counted across the 392 positions we hold weights for in IUSG and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, IUSG or SPY?
IUSG yields 0.51% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than IUSG?
IUSG has a lower expense ratio. IUSG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.