IVOG vs RFG
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF vs Invesco S&P Midcap 400 Pure Growth ETF
Which is better, IVOG or RFG?
Nearly the same fund. IVOG costs less.
IVOG has a lower expense ratio. IVOG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. IVOG is less concentrated, with 14.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.7%.
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 | IVOG | RFG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $1.7B | $331M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.57% | 0.11% |
| Holdings | 248 | 206 |
| YTD Return | +11.35%Best | +8.81% |
| 1Y Return | +14.67%Best | +14.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.63%Best | +14.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.77%Best | +5.65% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6%Best | 18.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.3%Best | -43.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,875Best | $13,163 |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.4%Best | 20.7% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 7, 2010 | Mar 1, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.1 years).
IVOG vs RFG 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 16.1 years both funds cover.
IVOG vs RFG Performance
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (IVOG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco S&P Midcap 400 Pure Growth ETF (RFG) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year IVOG returned +14.67% while RFG returned +14.48%. Year to date, IVOG is up 11.35% versus a gain of 8.81% for RFG.
Over three years, IVOG compounded at +15.63% per year against +14.58% for RFG; over five years the annualized figures are +6.77% and +5.65% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, IVOG has the edge at +11.93% annualized vs +10.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 16.6% for IVOG. 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 -39.3% for IVOG and -43.7% for RFG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVOG charges 0.10% per year while RFG charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $35 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVOG currently yields 0.57% against 0.11% for RFG.
Holdings Overlap
61.7% of IVOG's money is in holdings RFG also owns. 97.2% of RFG's money is in holdings IVOG also owns.
Most of RFG is already inside IVOG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
99 positions in common, counted across the 247 positions we hold weights for in IVOG and 102 in RFG, against full books of 248 and 206.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 3 positions for RFG that do not appear in our book for IVOG (2.8% of the fund), and 146 for IVOG that do not appear in RFG (37.6%).
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 IVOG | Weight in RFG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TWLOTwilio Inc. Class A | 1.94% | 2.30% | 0.36% |
| 0RMV:LNTechnipfmc Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.69% | 2.05% | 0.36% |
| HALOHalozyme Therapeutics Inc | 0.68% | 2.72% | 2.04% |
| ATIAti Inc | 1.51% | 1.73% | 0.22% |
| OKTAOkta Inc. | 1.57% | 1.40% | 0.17% |
| STRLSterling Construction Company Inc | 0.78% | 2.03% | 1.25% |
| WWDWoodward Inc | 1.10% | 1.65% | 0.55% |
| DOCNDigitalocean Holdings Inc | 0.49% | 2.22% | 1.73% |
| CRSCarpenter Technology Corpcommon Stock | 1.02% | 1.64% | 0.62% |
| MEDPMedpace Holdings Inc | 0.73% | 1.83% | 1.10% |
97.2% of RFG is already inside IVOG.
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, IVOG or RFG?
IVOG has an expense ratio of 0.10% while RFG charges 0.35%. IVOG is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVOG or RFG?
Over the past year IVOG returned +14.67% vs +14.48% for RFG, so IVOG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IVOG annualized +11.93% vs +10.14% for RFG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVOG or RFG?
RFG has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 16.6% for IVOG. Worst drawdown: IVOG -39.3% vs RFG -43.7%.
Should I hold both IVOG and RFG?
IVOG and RFG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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 IVOG and RFG?
97.2% of RFG's money is in holdings IVOG also owns. 97.2% of RFG's is in holdings IVOG also owns. They hold 99 positions in common, counted across the 247 positions we hold weights for in IVOG and 102 in RFG.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVOG or RFG?
IVOG yields 0.57% while RFG yields 0.11%, so IVOG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFG better than IVOG?
IVOG has a lower expense ratio. IVOG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. IVOG is less concentrated, with 14.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.