IVV vs PGZ
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Principal Real Estate Income Fund
Which is better, IVV or PGZ?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. 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 | PGZ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 2.16% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $72M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 11.65% |
| Holdings | 508 | 110 |
| YTD Return | +12.51%Best | +4.04% |
| 1Y Return | +17.57%Best | +1.69% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.27%Best | +13.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.95%Best | +1.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4%Best | 21.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -68.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,384Best | $10,636 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jun 26, 2013 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 20, 2006 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.7 years).
IVV vs PGZ 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 19.7 years both funds cover.
IVV vs PGZ Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (PGZ) is an ETF from Principal Funds. Over the past year IVV returned +17.57% while PGZ returned +1.69%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.51% versus a gain of 4.04% for PGZ.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.27% per year against +13.01% for PGZ; over five years the annualized figures are +12.95% and +1.24% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.34% annualized vs -1.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 15.4% 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 -56.5% for IVV and -68.8% for PGZ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while PGZ charges 2.16%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $216 annually, a gap of $213 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 11.65% for PGZ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.1% of IVV's money is in holdings PGZ also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PGZ, our book for it covers 59.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
IVV and PGZ share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 186 days apart, IVV as of Aug 5, 2026 and PGZ as of Jan 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
13 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 61 in PGZ, against full books of 508 and 110.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in PGZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQIXEquinix, Inc. | 0.16% | 2.98% | 2.82% |
| WELLWelltower Inc | 0.25% | 2.42% | 2.17% |
| VTRVentas, Inc. | 0.07% | 1.76% | 1.69% |
| EXRExtra Space Storage Inc. | 0.05% | 1.69% | 1.64% |
| DOCHealthpeak Properties Inc | 0.02% | 1.49% | 1.47% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 0.20% | 1.24% | 1.04% |
| UMG:ASUniversal Music Group N.V. Universal Music Group N V | 0.06% | 1.23% | 1.17% |
| EQREquity Residential | 0.03% | 1.06% | 1.03% |
| INVHInvitation Homes Inc | 0.03% | 0.94% | 0.91% |
| VICIVici Properties Inc | 0.04% | 0.86% | 0.82% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and PGZ 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 PGZ?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while PGZ charges 2.16%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $213 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or PGZ?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.57% vs +1.69% for PGZ, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IVV annualized +9.34% vs -1.82% for PGZ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or PGZ?
PGZ has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 15.4% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs PGZ -68.8%.
Should I hold both IVV and PGZ?
IVV and PGZ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IVV and PGZ?
At least 1.1% of IVV's money is in holdings PGZ also owns. Our book for PGZ is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 61 in PGZ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or PGZ?
IVV yields 1.06% while PGZ yields 11.65%, so PGZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PGZ better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. 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.