IVV vs LGOV
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs First Trust Long Duration Opportunities ETF
Which is better, IVV or LGOV?
Large Cap Blend against Long Term Government Bond.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | IVV | LGOV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.49% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $626M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 4.44% |
| Holdings | 508 | 381 |
| YTD Return | +12.01%Best | -3.80% |
| 1Y Return | +16.48%Best | -3.66% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.21%Best | +2.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.95%Best | -3.06% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 8.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9% | -33.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,384Best | $8,561 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Long Term Government Bond |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jan 22, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 23, 2019 to Sep 14, 2026 (7.6 years).
IVV vs LGOV 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 7.6 years both funds cover.
IVV vs LGOV Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and First Trust Long Duration Opportunities ETF (LGOV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.48% while LGOV returned -3.66%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.01% versus a loss of 3.80% for LGOV.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.21% per year against +2.99% for LGOV; over five years the annualized figures are +12.95% and -3.06% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +16.04% annualized vs -0.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 8.9% for LGOV. 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 -33.9% for IVV and -33.0% for LGOV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.34. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while LGOV charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $49 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 4.44% for LGOV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 107 in LGOV, totalling 99.3% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 107 in LGOV, against full books of 508 and 381.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and LGOV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or LGOV?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while LGOV charges 0.49%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or LGOV?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.48% vs -3.66% for LGOV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), IVV annualized +16.04% vs -0.28% for LGOV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or LGOV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 8.9% for LGOV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs LGOV -33.0%.
Should I hold both IVV and LGOV?
IVV and LGOV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.34, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or LGOV?
IVV yields 1.06% while LGOV yields 4.44%, so LGOV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is LGOV better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.