SDG vs VOO
iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SDG or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SDG is less concentrated, with 36.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | SDG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $176M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.63% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 147 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +6.28% | +14.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.01% | +17.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.10% | +23.16%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.47% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -30.4%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,237 | $19,128Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.9%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2016 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 22, 2016 to Sep 21, 2026 (10.4 years).
SDG 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 10.4 years both funds cover.
SDG vs VOO Performance
iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) 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 SDG returned +11.01% while VOO returned +17.31%. Year to date, SDG is up 6.28% versus a gain of 14.14% for VOO.
Over three years, SDG compounded at +8.10% per year against +23.16% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +0.47% and +13.85% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.29% annualized vs +7.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.4% for SDG. 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 -30.4% for SDG 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SDG charges 0.50% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SDG currently yields 1.63% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
31.9% of SDG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 8.9% of VOO's money is in holdings SDG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
15 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in SDG and 494 in VOO, against full books of 147 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 472 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for SDG (90.2% of the fund), and 8 for SDG that do not appear in VOO (4.8%).
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 SDG | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.09% | 7.55% | 3.46% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 3.99% | 0.21% | 3.78% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd. | 3.60% | 0.26% | 3.34% |
| TSNTyson Foods Inc. Class A | 3.80% | 0.03% | 3.77% |
| FSLRFirst Solar, Inc | 3.66% | 0.04% | 3.62% |
| KMBKimberly-Clark Corp. | 2.26% | 0.06% | 2.20% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 1.72% | 0.16% | 1.56% |
| VRTXNvaesrtex Pharmaceuticals Inc | 1.53% | 0.19% | 1.34% |
| REGNRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 1.57% | 0.12% | 1.45% |
| WYWeyerhaeuser Co. | 1.40% | 0.03% | 1.37% |
31.9% of SDG is already inside VOO.
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, SDG or VOO?
SDG has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SDG or VOO?
Over the past year SDG returned +11.01% vs +17.31% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), SDG annualized +7.14% vs +14.29% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SDG or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.4% for SDG. Worst drawdown: SDG -30.4% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both SDG and VOO?
SDG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SDG and VOO?
31.9% of SDG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 8.9% of VOO's is in holdings SDG also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in SDG and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, SDG or VOO?
SDG yields 1.63% while VOO yields 1.04%, so SDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SDG?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SDG is less concentrated, with 36.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.