ILCG vs. VFMV

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

ILCG (iShares Morningstar Growth ETF) and VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILCG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross, while VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. ILCG is passively managed, while VFMV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ILCG returned 11.83%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for VFMV. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ILCG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VFMV.

Performance

ILCG vs. VFMV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILCG achieves a 8.29% return, which is significantly lower than VFMV's 9.62% return.

ILCG

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -4.00%
• 6M: 7.34%
• YTD: 8.29%
• 1Y: 14.31%
• 3Y*: 21.79%
• 5Y*: 11.83%
• 10Y*: 17.20%
• ALL TIME*: 11.57%

VFMV

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 2.40%
• 6M: 6.67%
• YTD: 9.62%
• 1Y: 13.50%
• 3Y*: 13.82%
• 5Y*: 9.37%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.94%

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

ILCG vs. VFMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	8.29%	16.71%	32.82%	40.41%	-31.75%	24.33%	38.56%	33.22%	-2.58%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	9.62%	10.52%	16.91%	8.86%	-5.73%	20.75%	-0.19%	27.26%	-0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between ILCG and VFMV is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2018	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between ILCG and VFMV has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ILCG vs. VFMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILCG	VFMV
Technology	54.1%	25.1%
Industrials	10.9%	10.1%
Communication Services	9.7%	10.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	6.9%
Healthcare	5.3%	10.1%
Financial Services	4.7%	10.6%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	9.5%
Real Estate	1.5%	6.4%
Basic Materials	1.4%	-
Utilities	0.9%	6.7%
Energy	0.7%	3.9%

Return for Risk

ILCG vs. VFMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILCG

ILCG Risk / Return Rank: 27
ILCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
ILCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
ILCG Omega Ratio Rank: 27
ILCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
ILCG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 63
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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. VFMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) and Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ILCG	VFMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	1.54	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.16	2.25	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.27	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.92	2.26	-1.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.04	8.68	-5.63

ILCG vs. VFMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILCG Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is lower than the VFMV Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILCG and VFMV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ILCG vs. VFMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILCG drawdown since its inception was -52.98%, which is greater than VFMV's maximum drawdown of -33.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILCG and VFMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILCG	VFMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.98%	-33.64%	-19.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-6.00%	-9.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.10%	-10.35%	-12.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.38%	-15.41%	-19.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.38%	-0.51%	-5.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.20%	-3.60%	-4.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.71%	1.56%	+3.15%

Volatility

ILCG vs. VFMV - Volatility Comparison

iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) has a higher volatility of 6.51% compared to Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) at 1.91%. This indicates that ILCG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILCG	VFMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.51%	1.91%	+4.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.22%	6.44%	+8.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.27%	8.80%	+9.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.31%	11.74%	+10.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.66%	14.18%	+7.48%

ILCG vs. VFMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILCG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VFMV's 0.13% 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. VFMV - Dividend Comparison

ILCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, less than VFMV's 1.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	0.42%	0.47%	0.50%	0.69%	0.75%	0.34%	0.28%	0.54%	0.81%	0.89%	0.95%	0.99%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.77%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILCG and VFMV in my portfolio?

ILCG and VFMV have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILCG or VFMV?

ILCG has higher volatility (6.51%) compared to VFMV (1.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILCG dropped -52.98% vs VFMV's -33.64%.

Which ETF is better, ILCG or VFMV?

On 5-year performance, ILCG leads with 11.83% vs 9.37% for VFMV. On fees, ILCG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VFMV has been the lower-risk option at 1.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILCG or VFMV?

Over the 5-year period, ILCG has performed better with a 11.83% return vs 9.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILCG or VFMV?

ILCG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for VFMV.

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

VFMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.77%, compared with 0.42% for ILCG.

What is the main difference between ILCG and VFMV?

ILCG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VFMV is Mid Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for ILCG and 0.13% for VFMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 0.79), 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.