IVV vs MGC
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF
Which is better, IVV or MGC?
Nearly the same fund. IVV costs less.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. MGC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.5%.
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 | MGC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $10.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.89% |
| Holdings | 508 | 177 |
| YTD Return | +14.14% | +14.81%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.30% | +17.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.04% | +24.53%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.63% | +14.38%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.7% | -53.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,944 | $19,577Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8%Best | 45.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Dec 17, 2007 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 24, 2007 to Sep 22, 2026 (18.7 years).
IVV vs MGC 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 18.7 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MGC Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF (MGC) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IVV returned +17.30% while MGC returned +17.99%. Year to date, IVV is up 14.14% versus a gain of 14.81% for MGC.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +23.04% per year against +24.53% for MGC; over five years the annualized figures are +13.63% and +14.38% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, MGC has the edge at +10.10% annualized vs +9.63%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 15.6% for MGC. 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 -54.7% for IVV and -53.0% for MGC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MGC charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.89% for MGC.
Holdings Overlap
83.1% of IVV's money is in holdings MGC also owns. 98.8% of MGC's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of MGC is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
165 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 172 in MGC, against full books of 508 and 177.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 490 and 172 positions we hold weights for.
IVV holds 317 positions MGC does not, 15.6% of the fund.
Largest: MPC 0.16%, VLO 0.16%, HWM 0.15%, PSX 0.15%, VRT 0.15%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in MGC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.07% | 8.75% | 0.68% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.02% | 8.60% | 1.58% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.69% | 6.55% | 0.86% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.84% | 4.99% | 1.15% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.00% | 3.96% | 0.96% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.65% | 3.49% | 0.84% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.39% | 3.15% | 0.76% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.90% | 2.32% | 0.42% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.63% | 1.76% | 0.13% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.44% | 1.79% | 0.35% |
98.8% of MGC is already inside IVV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or MGC?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MGC charges 0.05%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MGC?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.30% vs +17.99% for MGC, so MGC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), IVV annualized +9.63% vs +10.10% for MGC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MGC?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 15.6% for MGC. Worst drawdown: IVV -54.7% vs MGC -53.0%.
Should I hold both IVV and MGC?
IVV and MGC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 IVV and MGC?
98.8% of MGC's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 98.8% of MGC's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 165 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 172 in MGC.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or MGC?
IVV yields 1.06% while MGC yields 0.89%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MGC better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. MGC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.