MLRG vs VOO
iShares MSCI USA ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, MLRG or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
MLRG led over 3Y, VOO over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. MLRG is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.1%.
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 | MLRG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $1.3B | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.05% |
| Holdings | 1,052 | 519 |
| YTD Return | +10.64% | +10.69%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.07% | +11.33%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.16%Best | +21.04% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.14% | +11.65%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.3% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,957 | $17,350Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.9%Best | 39.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Nov 10, 2026 (16.2 years).
MLRG vs VOO 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 16.2 years both funds cover.
MLRG vs VOO Performance
iShares MSCI USA ETF (MLRG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MLRG returned +11.07% while VOO returned +11.33%. Year to date, MLRG is up 10.64% versus a gain of 10.69% for VOO.
Over three years, MLRG compounded at +21.16% per year against +21.04% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +11.14% and +11.65% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.15% annualized vs +12.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLRG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 14.0% for VOO. 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 -35.3% for MLRG and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLRG charges 0.03% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, MLRG currently yields 0.98% against 1.05% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
96.3% of MLRG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 98.2% of VOO's money is in holdings MLRG also owns.
Most of VOO is already inside MLRG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
436 positions in common, counted across the 516 positions we hold weights for in MLRG and 506 in VOO, against full books of 1,052 and 519.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 67 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for MLRG (1.8% of the fund), and 69 for MLRG that do not appear in VOO (2.9%).
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 MLRG | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.64% | 8.39% | 0.75% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 7.56% | 7.38% | 0.18% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.66% | 5.78% | 0.12% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.69% | 3.71% | 0.02% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.06% | 3.07% | 0.01% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.35% | 2.54% | 0.19% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.43% | 2.43% | 0.00% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.41% | 2.45% | 0.04% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.55% | 1.83% | 0.28% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.58% | 1.52% | 0.06% |
98.2% of VOO is already inside MLRG.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MLRG or VOO?
MLRG has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VOO charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, MLRG or VOO?
Over the past year MLRG returned +11.07% vs +11.33% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), MLRG annualized +12.88% vs +13.15% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLRG or VOO?
MLRG has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 14.0% for VOO. Worst drawdown: MLRG -35.3% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both MLRG and VOO?
MLRG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between MLRG and VOO?
98.2% of VOO's money is in holdings MLRG also owns. 98.2% of VOO's is in holdings MLRG also owns. They hold 436 positions in common, counted across the 516 positions we hold weights for in MLRG and 506 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLRG or VOO?
MLRG yields 0.98% while VOO yields 1.05%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than MLRG?
MLRG led over 3Y, VOO over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. MLRG is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.