ILCG vs. MGK

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ILCG (iShares Morningstar Growth ETF) and MGK (Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ILCG tracks the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross while MGK tracks the CRSP US Mega Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ILCG returned 18.27%/yr vs 19.37%/yr for MGK. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ILCG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for MGK.

Performance

ILCG vs. MGK - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILCG achieves a 15.66% return, which is significantly higher than MGK's 11.27% return. Over the past 10 years, ILCG has underperformed MGK with an annualized return of 18.27%, while MGK has yielded a comparatively higher 19.37% annualized return.

ILCG

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 8.76%
• YTD: 15.66%
• 6M: 15.63%
• 1Y: 31.81%
• 3Y*: 26.98%
• 5Y*: 15.51%
• 10Y*: 18.27%

MGK

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 8.29%
• YTD: 11.27%
• 6M: 10.68%
• 1Y: 32.46%
• 3Y*: 27.25%
• 5Y*: 16.84%
• 10Y*: 19.37%

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

ILCG vs. MGK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	15.66%	16.71%	32.82%	40.41%	-31.75%	24.33%	38.56%	33.22%	2.06%	30.57%
MGK Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF	11.27%	20.67%	32.94%	51.67%	-33.59%	28.58%	41.01%	37.38%	-2.91%	29.49%

Correlation

The correlation between ILCG and MGK is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2007	0.98

The correlation between ILCG and MGK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILCG vs. MGK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILCG	MGK
Technology	49.8%	56.1%
Communication Services	14.5%	17.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	12.8%
Industrials	8.3%	1.1%
Financial Services	6.0%	4.5%
Healthcare	5.3%	4.5%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	0.4%
Real Estate	1.4%	1.3%
Basic Materials	1.1%	0.7%
Utilities	0.8%	1.2%
Energy	0.5%	-

Return for Risk

ILCG vs. MGK — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILCG

ILCG Risk / Return Rank: 51
ILCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ILCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
ILCG Omega Ratio Rank: 55
ILCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
ILCG Martin Ratio Rank: 45

MGK

MGK Risk / Return Rank: 51
MGK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
MGK Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
MGK Omega Ratio Rank: 56
MGK Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
MGK Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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. MGK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) and Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK). 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	MGK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.02	-0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	2.71	-0.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.35	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.09	2.00	+0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.37	6.90	+0.47
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. MGK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILCG Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the MGK Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILCG and MGK, 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	MGK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	2.02	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.75	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.89	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.66	-0.07

Drawdowns

ILCG vs. MGK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILCG drawdown since its inception was -52.98%, which is greater than MGK's maximum drawdown of -47.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILCG and MGK.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILCG	MGK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.98%	-47.97%	-5.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-16.85%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.10%	-23.36%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.38%	-36.01%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	-36.01%	+0.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.30%	+0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.22%	-7.47%	-0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.43%	4.89%	-0.46%

Volatility

ILCG vs. MGK - Volatility Comparison

iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) has a higher volatility of 4.18% compared to Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) at 3.75%. This indicates that ILCG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MGK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILCG	MGK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.18%	3.75%	+0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.77%	12.32%	+0.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.28%	16.20%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.00%	22.63%	-0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.53%	21.88%	-0.35%

ILCG vs. MGK - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILCG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than MGK's 0.05% 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. MGK - Dividend Comparison

ILCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, more than MGK's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
MGK Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF	0.31%	0.35%	0.43%	0.50%	0.70%	0.41%	0.65%	0.85%	1.12%	1.23%	1.53%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILCG and MGK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, ILCG and MGK 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 MGK?

ILCG has higher volatility (4.18%) compared to MGK (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILCG dropped -52.98% vs MGK's -47.97%.

Which ETF is better, ILCG or MGK?

On 10-year performance, MGK leads with 19.37% vs 18.27% for ILCG. On fees, ILCG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, MGK has been the lower-risk option at 3.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILCG or MGK?

Over the 10-year period, MGK has performed better with a 19.37% return vs 18.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILCG or MGK?

ILCG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for MGK.

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

ILCG has the higher dividend yield at 0.40%, compared with 0.31% for MGK.

What is the main difference between ILCG and MGK?

ILCG tracks Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross, while MGK tracks CRSP US Mega Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for ILCG and 0.05% for MGK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MGK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.96), 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.