IVV vs SGOL
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF
Which is better, IVV or SGOL?
Large Cap Blend against Gold.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window, SGOL over 3Y and 5Y.
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 | SGOL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.17% |
| AUM | $882.6B | $7.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 508 | 2 |
| YTD Return | +12.76%Best | -3.73% |
| 1Y Return | +15.57%Best | +7.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.95% | +31.47%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.54% | +18.67%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 16.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -45.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,869 | $23,534Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Aberdeen |
| Category | Equity | Commodity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Gold |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Sep 9, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2009 to Oct 1, 2026 (17.1 years).
IVV vs SGOL 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 17.1 years both funds cover.
IVV vs SGOL Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) is an ETF from Aberdeen. Over the past year IVV returned +15.57% while SGOL returned +7.78%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.76% versus a loss of 3.73% for SGOL.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +22.95% per year against +31.47% for SGOL; over five years the annualized figures are +13.54% and +18.67% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +12.95% annualized vs +8.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SGOL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.8% compared with 14.3% 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 -33.9% for IVV and -45.5% for SGOL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.11. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while SGOL charges 0.17%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $17 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.00% for SGOL.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and SGOL 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 SGOL?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SGOL charges 0.17%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or SGOL?
Over the past year IVV returned +15.57% vs +7.78% for SGOL, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), IVV annualized +12.95% vs +8.49% for SGOL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or SGOL?
SGOL has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 14.3% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs SGOL -45.5%.
Should I hold both IVV and SGOL?
IVV and SGOL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.11, 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 SGOL?
IVV yields 1.06% while SGOL yields 0.00%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SGOL better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window, SGOL over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.