IVV vs VGK
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF
Which is better, IVV or VGK?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VGK is less concentrated, with 18.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | VGK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $38.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.81% |
| Holdings | 508 | 1,240 |
| YTD Return | +13.32%Best | +5.99% |
| 1Y Return | +17.08%Best | +13.93% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.72%Best | +18.28% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.20%Best | +8.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 18.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -67.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,588Best | $15,064 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8% | 18.4%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Mar 4, 2005 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 2005 to Sep 23, 2026 (21.5 years).
IVV vs VGK 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 21.5 years both funds cover.
IVV vs VGK Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IVV returned +17.08% while VGK returned +13.93%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.32% versus a gain of 5.99% for VGK.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +22.72% per year against +18.28% for VGK; over five years the annualized figures are +13.20% and +8.54% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.36% annualized vs +3.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 14.9% 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 -67.3% for VGK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while VGK charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 2.81% for VGK.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of IVV's money is in holdings VGK also owns. 0.1% of VGK's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 1,101 in VGK, against full books of 508 and 1,240.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 12 positions for VGK that do not appear in our book for IVV (3.1% of the fund), and 481 for IVV that do not appear in VGK (98.6%).
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 VGK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.05% | 0.13% | 0.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and VGK 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 VGK?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VGK charges 0.06%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or VGK?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.08% vs +13.93% for VGK, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), IVV annualized +9.36% vs +3.44% for VGK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or VGK?
VGK has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 14.9% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs VGK -67.3%.
Should I hold both IVV and VGK?
IVV and VGK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 VGK?
IVV yields 1.06% while VGK yields 2.81%, so VGK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGK better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VGK is less concentrated, with 18.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.