IVV vs MLRG
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs iShares MSCI USA ETF
Which is better, IVV or MLRG?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV led over 1Y and 5Y, MLRG over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. MLRG is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.9%.
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 | MLRG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $896.5B | $1.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 508 | 530 |
| YTD Return | +12.15% | +12.26%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.42%Best | +14.27% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.09% | +23.24%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.36%Best | +11.84% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -52.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,908Best | $17,498 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.9% | 37.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 28, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2004 to Oct 23, 2026 (22.3 years).
IVV vs MLRG 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 22.3 years both funds cover.
IVV vs MLRG Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares MSCI USA ETF (MLRG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IVV returned +14.42% while MLRG returned +14.27%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.15% versus a gain of 12.26% for MLRG.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +23.09% per year against +23.24% for MLRG; over five years the annualized figures are +12.36% and +11.84% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, MLRG has the edge at +9.54% annualized vs +9.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 14.6% for MLRG. 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 -52.8% for MLRG. 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 MLRG charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 0.98% for MLRG.
Holdings Overlap
98.0% of IVV's money is in holdings MLRG also owns. 95.8% of MLRG's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
Most of IVV is already inside MLRG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
436 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 530 in MLRG, against full books of 508 and 530.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 82 positions for MLRG that do not appear in our book for IVV (3.6% of the fund), and 67 for IVV that do not appear in MLRG (1.6%).
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 IVV | Weight in MLRG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.44% | 8.00% | 0.44% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.29% | 7.17% | 0.12% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.76% | 5.67% | 0.09% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.68% | 3.64% | 0.04% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.00% | 2.95% | 0.05% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.47% | 2.39% | 0.08% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.42% | 2.38% | 0.04% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.41% | 2.37% | 0.04% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.87% | 1.84% | 0.03% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.52% | 1.49% | 0.03% |
98.0% of IVV is already inside MLRG.
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, IVV or MLRG?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while MLRG charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, IVV or MLRG?
Over the past year IVV returned +14.42% vs +14.27% for MLRG, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), IVV annualized +9.33% vs +9.54% for MLRG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or MLRG?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 14.6% for MLRG. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs MLRG -52.8%.
Should I hold both IVV and MLRG?
IVV and MLRG 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 MLRG?
98.0% of IVV's money is in holdings MLRG also owns. 95.8% of MLRG's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 436 positions in common, counted across the 506 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 530 in MLRG.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or MLRG?
IVV yields 1.10% while MLRG yields 0.98%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MLRG better than IVV?
IVV led over 1Y and 5Y, MLRG over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. MLRG is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.