IVV vs MGOV
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF
Which is better, IVV or MGOV?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | MGOV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.49% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $101M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 4.88% |
| Holdings | 508 | 206 |
| YTD Return | +12.01%Best | -1.11% |
| 1Y Return | +16.48%Best | -0.73% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.21%Best | +4.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.95% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.8% | 6.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -6.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $17,589Best | $11,327 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | - |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Aug 2, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 3, 2023 to Sep 14, 2026 (3.1 years).
IVV vs MGOV 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 3.1 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MGOV Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF (MGOV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.48% while MGOV returned -0.73%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.01% versus a loss of 1.11% for MGOV.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.21% per year against +4.48% for MGOV.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.8% compared with 6.4% for MGOV. 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 -18.8% for IVV and -6.1% for MGOV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while MGOV 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 4.88% for MGOV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 73 in MGOV, totalling 99.3% and 48.3% 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 73 in MGOV, against full books of 508 and 206.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and MGOV 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 MGOV?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MGOV charges 0.49%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or MGOV?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.48% vs -0.73% for MGOV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MGOV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 6.4% for MGOV. Worst drawdown: IVV -18.8% vs MGOV -6.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and MGOV?
IVV and MGOV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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 MGOV?
IVV yields 1.06% while MGOV yields 4.88%, so MGOV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MGOV better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.