ILCG vs. GARP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILCG (iShares Morningstar Growth ETF) and GARP (iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from iShares - ILCG tracks the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross while GARP tracks the MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ILCG returned 14.95%/yr vs 20.26%/yr for GARP. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ILCG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for GARP.

Performance

ILCG vs. GARP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) and iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILCG achieves a 14.48% return, which is significantly lower than GARP's 21.29% return.

ILCG

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: 7.68%
• YTD: 14.48%
• 6M: 14.61%
• 1Y: 29.51%
• 3Y*: 26.55%
• 5Y*: 14.95%
• 10Y*: 18.15%

GARP

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 11.92%
• YTD: 21.29%
• 6M: 21.80%
• 1Y: 43.57%
• 3Y*: 33.60%
• 5Y*: 20.26%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ILCG vs. GARP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	14.48%	16.71%	32.82%	40.41%	-31.75%	24.33%	32.09%
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	21.29%	21.49%	37.42%	42.86%	-26.75%	27.99%	26.51%

Correlation

The correlation between ILCG and GARP is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2020	0.93

The correlation between ILCG and GARP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILCG vs. GARP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILCG	GARP
Technology	49.8%	56.7%
Communication Services	14.5%	12.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	6.1%
Industrials	8.3%	6.9%
Financial Services	6.0%	7.5%
Healthcare	5.3%	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	-
Real Estate	1.4%	0.4%
Basic Materials	1.1%	0.9%
Utilities	0.8%	1.4%
Energy	0.5%	2.7%

Return for Risk

ILCG vs. GARP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ILCG

ILCG Risk / Return Rank: 46
ILCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
ILCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
ILCG Omega Ratio Rank: 50
ILCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
ILCG Martin Ratio Rank: 41

GARP

GARP Risk / Return Rank: 68
GARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
GARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
GARP Omega Ratio Rank: 67
GARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GARP Martin Ratio Rank: 68

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ILCG vs. GARP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) and iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ILCG	GARP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	2.45	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	3.18	-0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.41	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	3.20	-1.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.68	12.85	-6.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILCG vs. GARP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILCG Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the GARP Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILCG and GARP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ILCG	GARP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	2.45	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.93	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.90	-0.31

Drawdowns

ILCG vs. GARP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILCG drawdown since its inception was -52.98%, which is greater than GARP's maximum drawdown of -31.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILCG and GARP.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILCG	GARP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.98%	-31.34%	-21.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-13.69%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.10%	-23.73%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.38%	-30.61%	-4.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.02%	-0.73%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.22%	-7.36%	-0.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.43%	3.40%	+1.03%

Volatility

ILCG vs. GARP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) is 4.40%, while iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) has a volatility of 5.03%. This indicates that ILCG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GARP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILCG	GARP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	5.03%	-0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.81%	13.89%	-1.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.31%	17.89%	-1.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.00%	21.97%	+0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.53%	23.89%	-2.36%

ILCG vs. GARP - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILCG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than GARP's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ILCG vs. GARP - Dividend Comparison

ILCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, more than GARP's 0.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	0.25%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	0.40%	0.47%	0.50%	0.69%	0.75%	0.34%	0.28%	0.54%	0.81%	0.89%	0.95%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILCG and GARP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, ILCG and GARP move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ILCG or GARP?

GARP has higher volatility (5.03%) compared to ILCG (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILCG dropped -52.98% vs GARP's -31.34%.

Which ETF is better, ILCG or GARP?

On 5-year performance, GARP leads with 20.26% vs 14.95% for ILCG. On fees, ILCG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, ILCG has been the lower-risk option at 4.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILCG or GARP?

Over the 5-year period, GARP has performed better with a 20.26% return vs 14.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILCG or GARP?

ILCG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for GARP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ILCG or GARP?

ILCG has the higher dividend yield at 0.40%, compared with 0.25% for GARP.

What is the main difference between ILCG and GARP?

ILCG tracks Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross, while GARP tracks MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for ILCG and 0.15% for GARP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GARP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.82), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.