FLAG vs IVV
Global X S&P 500 US Market Leaders Top 50 ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FLAG or IVV?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 38.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.8%.
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 | FLAG | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $896.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.08% | 1.10% |
| Holdings | 104 | 508 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 19.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $8,146 | $9,966Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.8% | 38.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 15, 2025 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 1128 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. FLAG has data through Sep 12, 2023 and IVV through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 1, 2021 to Sep 12, 2023 (1.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 13.6% for FLAG. 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 -43.9% for FLAG and -24.5% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.24. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLAG charges 0.29% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $3 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLAG currently yields 2.08% against 1.10% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
99.9% of FLAG's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 26.9% of IVV's money is in holdings FLAG also owns.
Most of FLAG is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
50 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FLAG and 506 in IVV, against full books of 104 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 450 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FLAG (72.5% of the fund), and 0 for FLAG that do not appear in IVV (0.0%).
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 FLAG | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.23% | 8.44% | 3.21% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.83% | 5.76% | 0.07% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.73% | 3.68% | 1.05% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 5.43% | 0.54% | 4.89% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 5.23% | 0.69% | 4.54% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 4.52% | 1.39% | 3.13% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 4.24% | 0.65% | 3.59% |
| ANETArista Networks Inc Common Stock | 4.53% | 0.32% | 4.21% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 4.10% | 0.50% | 3.60% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 3.88% | 0.70% | 3.18% |
99.9% of FLAG is already inside IVV.
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, FLAG or IVV?
FLAG has an expense ratio of 0.29% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, FLAG or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 13.6% for FLAG. Worst drawdown: FLAG -43.9% vs IVV -24.5%.
Should I hold both FLAG and IVV?
FLAG and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.24, 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 FLAG and IVV?
99.9% of FLAG's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 26.9% of IVV's is in holdings FLAG also owns. They hold 50 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FLAG and 506 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLAG or IVV?
FLAG yields 2.08% while IVV yields 1.10%, so FLAG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FLAG?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 38.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.