IVV vs VGLT
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard Long Term Treasury ETF
Which is better, IVV or VGLT?
Large Cap Blend against Long Term Government Bond.
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 | VGLT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $876.4B | $10.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 4.76% |
| Holdings | 508 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +12.01%Best | -3.81% |
| 1Y Return | +16.48%Best | -5.18% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.21%Best | +0.61% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.95%Best | -7.44% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4% | 12.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -47.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,384Best | $6,794 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Long Term Government Bond |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Nov 19, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 24, 2009 to Sep 14, 2026 (16.8 years).
IVV vs VGLT 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IVV vs VGLT Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Long Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.48% while VGLT returned -5.18%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.01% versus a loss of 3.81% for VGLT.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.21% per year against +0.61% for VGLT; over five years the annualized figures are +12.95% and -7.44% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +12.66% annualized vs +0.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 12.3% for VGLT. 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 -47.1% for VGLT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.07. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while VGLT charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 4.76% for VGLT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 94 in VGLT, totalling 99.3% and 89.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 94 in VGLT, against full books of 508 and 102.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and VGLT 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 VGLT?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VGLT charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, IVV or VGLT?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.48% vs -5.18% for VGLT, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), IVV annualized +12.66% vs +0.26% for VGLT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or VGLT?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 12.3% for VGLT. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs VGLT -47.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and VGLT?
IVV and VGLT have a monthly-return correlation of -0.07, 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 VGLT?
IVV yields 1.06% while VGLT yields 4.76%, so VGLT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGLT better than IVV?
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.