IVV vs PCIG
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Polen Capital International Growth ETF
Which is better, IVV or PCIG?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y 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 | PCIG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $26M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.15% |
| Holdings | 508 | 34 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8%Best | -23.4% |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $15,645Best | $9,353 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iMGP Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Mar 1, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 35 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IVV has data through Sep 18, 2026 and PCIG through Aug 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 15, 2024 to Aug 14, 2026 (2.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCIG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 12.4% for IVV. 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 -23.4% for PCIG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while PCIG charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $85 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.15% for PCIG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.4% of IVV's money is in holdings PCIG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PCIG, our book for it covers 93.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 30 in PCIG, against full books of 508 and 34.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and PCIG 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 PCIG?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while PCIG charges 0.85%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IVV or PCIG?
PCIG has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 12.4% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -18.8% vs PCIG -23.4%.
Should I hold both IVV and PCIG?
IVV and PCIG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 PCIG?
IVV yields 1.06% while PCIG yields 0.15%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PCIG better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.