IVV vs MGF
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Aberdeen Government Markets Income Fund
Which is better, IVV or MGF?
Large Cap Blend against Long Term High Quality.
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 | MGF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | - |
| AUM | $876.4B | $99M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 7.74% |
| Holdings | 508 | 465 |
| YTD Return | +11.51%Best | -3.68% |
| 1Y Return | +15.96%Best | -4.09% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.01%Best | +3.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.66%Best | -1.75% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 8.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -55.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,149Best | $9,155 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Aberdeen Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Long Term High Quality |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | May 28, 1987 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2000 to Sep 15, 2026 (26.3 years).
IVV vs MGF 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 26.3 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MGF Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Aberdeen Government Markets Income Fund (MGF) is an ETF from Aberdeen Asset Management. Over the past year IVV returned +15.96% while MGF returned -4.09%. Year to date, IVV is up 11.51% versus a loss of 3.68% for MGF.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.01% per year against +3.63% for MGF; over five years the annualized figures are +12.66% and -1.75% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +6.93% annualized vs -1.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 8.5% for MGF. 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 -56.5% for IVV and -55.5% for MGF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.10. They move largely independently of each other.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 176 in MGF, totalling 99.3% and 68.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 92 days apart, IVV as of Aug 31, 2026 and MGF as of May 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 176 in MGF, against full books of 508 and 465.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MGF 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 performed better, IVV or MGF?
Over the past year IVV returned +15.96% vs -4.09% for MGF, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IVV annualized +6.93% vs -1.20% for MGF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MGF?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 8.5% for MGF. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs MGF -55.5%.
Should I hold both IVV and MGF?
IVV and MGF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.10, 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 MGF?
IVV yields 1.06% while MGF yields 7.74%, so MGF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MGF better than IVV?
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.