IVV vs VGUS
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF
Which is better, IVV or VGUS?
Large Cap Blend against Ultrashort Term Bond.
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 | VGUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.07% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $1.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 3.59% |
| Holdings | 508 | 91 |
| YTD Return | +12.39%Best | +2.45% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +3.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.1% | 0.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -0.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $12,845Best | $10,766 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Ultrashort Term Bond |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Feb 7, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 11, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.6 years).
IVV vs VGUS 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
IVV vs VGUS Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% while VGUS returned +3.63%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.39% versus a gain of 2.45% for VGUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 0.5% for VGUS. 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 -0.1% for VGUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.23. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while VGUS charges 0.07%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $7 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 3.59% for VGUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 490 holdings in IVV and 1 in VGUS, totalling 99.3% and 0.3% 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 1 in VGUS, against full books of 508 and 91.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and VGUS 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 VGUS?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VGUS charges 0.07%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or VGUS?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.61% vs +3.63% for VGUS, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), IVV annualized +16.94% vs +4.72% for VGUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or VGUS?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 0.5% for VGUS. Worst drawdown: IVV -18.8% vs VGUS -0.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and VGUS?
IVV and VGUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.23, 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 VGUS?
IVV yields 1.06% while VGUS yields 3.59%, so VGUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGUS 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.