IVOG vs. RFG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IVOG (Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF) and RFG (Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds - IVOG tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index while RFG tracks the S&P Mid Cap 400 Pure Growth. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVOG returned 11.58%/yr vs 10.42%/yr for RFG. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IVOG charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for RFG.

Performance

IVOG vs. RFG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (IVOG) and Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IVOG achieves a 18.93% return, which is significantly lower than RFG's 21.39% return. Over the past 10 years, IVOG has outperformed RFG with an annualized return of 11.58%, while RFG has yielded a comparatively lower 10.42% annualized return.

IVOG

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 5.56%
• YTD: 18.93%
• 6M: 19.48%
• 1Y: 31.58%
• 3Y*: 17.95%
• 5Y*: 8.75%
• 10Y*: 11.58%

RFG

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 6.34%
• YTD: 21.39%
• 6M: 22.20%
• 1Y: 33.68%
• 3Y*: 20.33%
• 5Y*: 8.66%
• 10Y*: 10.42%

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

IVOG vs. RFG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IVOG Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF	18.93%	7.34%	15.62%	17.36%	-19.08%	18.85%	22.60%	26.13%	-10.58%	19.90%
RFG Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF	21.39%	8.80%	17.80%	16.42%	-21.70%	13.81%	32.86%	17.09%	-13.98%	20.46%

Correlation

The correlation between IVOG and RFG is 0.96 - 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	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.95

The correlation between IVOG and RFG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

IVOG vs. RFG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVOG	RFG
Industrials	30.9%	31.3%
Technology	21.9%	21.2%
Healthcare	13.5%	19.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	7.6%
Financial Services	7.3%	3.7%
Real Estate	5.5%	2.2%
Energy	3.7%	5.4%
Basic Materials	3.6%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	3.1%
Utilities	2.0%	2.4%
Communication Services	1.5%	0.6%

Return for Risk

IVOG vs. RFG — Risk / Return Rank

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

IVOG

IVOG Risk / Return Rank: 58
IVOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
IVOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
IVOG Omega Ratio Rank: 52
IVOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
IVOG Martin Ratio Rank: 67

RFG

RFG Risk / Return Rank: 58
RFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
RFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
RFG Omega Ratio Rank: 49
RFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
RFG Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

IVOG vs. RFG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (IVOG) and Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG). 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.

	IVOG	RFG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.83	+0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.60	+0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.31	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	3.26	-0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.59	13.24	-0.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IVOG vs. RFG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the RFG Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVOG and RFG, 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

	IVOG	RFG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	1.83	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.38	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.45	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.43	+0.21

Drawdowns

IVOG vs. RFG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVOG drawdown since its inception was -39.32%, smaller than the maximum RFG drawdown of -51.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVOG and RFG.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVOG	RFG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.32%	-51.93%	+12.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.69%	-10.41%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.61%	-26.71%	+1.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.31%	-35.16%	+5.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.32%	-42.92%	+3.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.88%	-8.97%	+3.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.46%	2.56%	-0.10%

Volatility

IVOG vs. RFG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (IVOG) is 5.19%, while Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG) has a volatility of 6.52%. This indicates that IVOG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RFG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IVOG	RFG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.19%	6.52%	-1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.21%	14.76%	-1.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.15%	18.52%	-1.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.61%	22.81%	-2.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.59%	23.05%	-2.46%

IVOG vs. RFG - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVOG has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than RFG's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IVOG vs. RFG - Dividend Comparison

IVOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, more than RFG's 0.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVOG Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF	0.54%	0.64%	0.79%	1.15%	1.05%	0.47%	0.74%	1.17%	1.01%	0.93%	1.11%	1.04%
RFG Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF	0.32%	0.43%	0.38%	0.99%	0.78%	0.05%	0.27%	0.64%	0.76%	0.66%	0.35%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVOG and RFG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, IVOG and RFG 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, IVOG or RFG?

RFG has higher volatility (6.52%) compared to IVOG (5.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVOG dropped -39.32% vs RFG's -51.93%.

Which ETF is better, IVOG or RFG?

On 10-year performance, IVOG leads with 11.58% vs 10.42% for RFG. On fees, IVOG is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, IVOG has been the lower-risk option at 5.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVOG or RFG?

Over the 10-year period, IVOG has performed better with a 11.58% return vs 10.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVOG or RFG?

IVOG is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for RFG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IVOG or RFG?

IVOG has the higher dividend yield at 0.54%, compared with 0.32% for RFG.

What is the main difference between IVOG and RFG?

IVOG tracks S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index, while RFG tracks S&P Mid Cap 400 Pure Growth. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IVOG and 0.35% for RFG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.83), 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.