IVV vs. VO

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVV returned 15.32%/yr vs 11.44%/yr for VO. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.

Performance

IVV vs. VO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IVV having a 8.72% return and VO slightly lower at 8.60%. Over the past 10 years, IVV has outperformed VO with an annualized return of 15.32%, while VO has yielded a comparatively lower 11.44% annualized return.

IVV

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 6M: 8.76%
• 1Y: 24.89%
• 3Y*: 21.44%
• 5Y*: 13.50%
• 10Y*: 15.32%

VO

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 8.60%
• 6M: 8.43%
• 1Y: 16.32%
• 3Y*: 15.78%
• 5Y*: 7.59%
• 10Y*: 11.44%

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

IVV vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	8.72%	17.85%	24.93%	26.31%	-18.16%	28.76%	18.40%	31.07%	-4.49%	21.75%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	8.60%	11.62%	15.31%	16.03%	-18.73%	24.70%	18.10%	30.98%	-9.24%	19.28%

Correlation

The correlation between IVV and VO is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.92

The correlation between IVV and VO shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IVV vs. VO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVV	VO
Technology	35.6%	18.6%
Financial Services	11.8%	12.8%
Communication Services	11.2%	3.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	8.6%
Healthcare	8.5%	7.6%
Industrials	8.3%	17.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.8%
Energy	3.5%	8.5%
Utilities	2.4%	8.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	5.4%
Basic Materials	1.8%	4.2%

Return for Risk

IVV vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IVV

IVV Risk / Return Rank: 69
IVV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IVV Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
IVV Omega Ratio Rank: 70
IVV Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IVV Martin Ratio Rank: 75

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 43
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

IVV vs. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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.

	IVV	VO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	1.31	+0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	1.89	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.23	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	2.01	+0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.97	7.62	+5.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IVV vs. VO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVV Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is higher than the VO Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVV and VO, 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

	IVV	VO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	1.31	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.43	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.61	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.50	-0.05

Drawdowns

IVV vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVV drawdown since its inception was -55.25%, smaller than the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVV and VO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVV	VO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.25%	-58.87%	+3.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.89%	-8.17%	-0.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-19.02%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.53%	-27.57%	+3.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.90%	-39.37%	+5.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.67%	-2.10%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.77%	-7.86%	-2.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	2.15%	-0.23%

Volatility

IVV vs. VO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) has a higher volatility of 3.77% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) at 3.51%. This indicates that IVV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IVV	VO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.77%	3.51%	+0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.31%	9.46%	-0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.08%	12.51%	-0.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.92%	17.62%	-0.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	18.96%	-0.89%

IVV vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IVV and VO have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IVV vs. VO - Dividend Comparison

IVV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, less than VO's 1.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	1.09%	1.17%	1.30%	1.44%	1.66%	1.20%	1.57%	1.85%	2.21%	1.75%	2.01%	2.27%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.38%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVV and VO in my portfolio?

IVV and VO have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IVV or VO?

IVV has higher volatility (3.77%) compared to VO (3.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVV dropped -55.25% vs VO's -58.87%.

Which ETF is better, IVV or VO?

On 10-year performance, IVV leads with 15.32% vs 11.44% for VO. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VO has been the lower-risk option at 3.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVV or VO?

Over the 10-year period, IVV has performed better with a 15.32% return vs 11.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVV or VO?

IVV and VO have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IVV or VO?

VO has the higher dividend yield at 1.38%, compared with 1.09% for IVV.

What is the main difference between IVV and VO?

IVV is categorized as S&P 500, while VO is Mid Cap Blend Equities. IVV tracks S&P 500 Index, while VO tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.31), 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.