IMCG vs IVV
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, IMCG or IVV?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IMCG led over the full window, IVV over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. IMCG is less concentrated, with 13.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.9%.
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 | IMCG | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $4.1B | $896.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.66% | 1.10% |
| Holdings | 263 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +17.14%Best | +13.59% |
| 1Y Return | +15.14% | +17.54%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.71% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.45% | +13.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.0% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,669 | $18,654Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.6%Best | 38.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2004 to Oct 14, 2026 (22.3 years).
IMCG vs IVV 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 22.3 years both funds cover.
IMCG vs IVV Performance
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IMCG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IMCG returned +15.14% while IVV returned +17.54%. Year to date, IMCG is up 17.14% versus a gain of 13.59% for IVV.
Over three years, IMCG compounded at +18.71% per year against +22.46% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +6.45% and +13.28% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, IMCG has the edge at +10.92% annualized vs +9.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IMCG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 14.7% for IVV. 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 -59.0% for IMCG and -56.5% 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMCG charges 0.06% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $3 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IMCG currently yields 0.66% against 1.10% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
79.8% of IMCG's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 12.1% of IVV's money is in holdings IMCG also owns.
Most of IMCG is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
190 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in IMCG and 506 in IVV, against full books of 263 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 311 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for IMCG (87.4% of the fund), and 63 for IMCG that do not appear in IVV (18.5%).
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 IMCG | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 1.50% | 0.25% | 1.25% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc | 1.52% | 0.17% | 1.35% |
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 1.37% | 0.15% | 1.22% |
| LITELumentum Holdings Inc | 1.27% | 0.14% | 1.13% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc | 1.26% | 0.14% | 1.12% |
| JCIJohnson Controls International Plc | 1.26% | 0.14% | 1.12% |
| HOODRobinhood Markets Inc - A | 1.19% | 0.13% | 1.06% |
| BECfd Bloom Energy Corp- A | 1.10% | 0.12% | 0.98% |
| MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc | 1.02% | 0.11% | 0.91% |
| CMICummins Inc. | 0.98% | 0.11% | 0.87% |
79.8% of IMCG 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, IMCG or IVV?
IMCG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IMCG or IVV?
Over the past year IMCG returned +15.14% vs +17.54% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), IMCG annualized +10.92% vs +9.40% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IMCG or IVV?
IMCG has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 14.7% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IMCG -59.0% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both IMCG and IVV?
IMCG and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 IMCG and IVV?
79.8% of IMCG's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 12.1% of IVV's is in holdings IMCG also owns. They hold 190 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in IMCG and 506 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, IMCG or IVV?
IMCG yields 0.66% while IVV yields 1.10%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than IMCG?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IMCG led over the full window, IVV over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. IMCG is less concentrated, with 13.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.