IWY vs. MGC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWY (iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF) and MGC (Vanguard Mega Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWY is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell Top 200 Growth Index, while MGC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mega Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWY returned 19.57%/yr vs 16.36%/yr for MGC. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWY charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for MGC.

Performance

IWY vs. MGC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY) and Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWY achieves a 7.20% return, which is significantly lower than MGC's 10.80% return. Over the past 10 years, IWY has outperformed MGC with an annualized return of 19.57%, while MGC has yielded a comparatively lower 16.36% annualized return.

IWY

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 5.83%
• YTD: 7.20%
• 6M: 6.65%
• 1Y: 26.69%
• 3Y*: 25.47%
• 5Y*: 16.45%
• 10Y*: 19.57%

MGC

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 5.59%
• YTD: 10.80%
• 6M: 10.75%
• 1Y: 29.68%
• 3Y*: 23.87%
• 5Y*: 14.70%
• 10Y*: 16.36%

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

IWY vs. MGC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF	7.20%	18.19%	34.89%	46.49%	-29.91%	31.05%	39.01%	36.20%	-0.72%	31.69%
MGC Vanguard Mega Cap ETF	10.80%	19.31%	27.16%	29.77%	-19.95%	27.58%	21.57%	31.14%	-3.45%	22.61%

Correlation

The correlation between IWY and MGC is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2009	0.94

The correlation between IWY and MGC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWY vs. MGC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWY	MGC
Technology	54.9%	39.3%
Communication Services	13.9%	13.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	10.1%
Healthcare	6.6%	8.9%
Financial Services	5.6%	11.7%
Industrials	4.0%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	4.8%
Utilities	1.1%	1.0%
Real Estate	0.3%	1.0%
Basic Materials	0.3%	1.2%
Energy	0.0%	2.6%

Return for Risk

IWY vs. MGC — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWY

IWY Risk / Return Rank: 41
IWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
IWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
IWY Omega Ratio Rank: 46
IWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
IWY Martin Ratio Rank: 34

MGC

MGC Risk / Return Rank: 69
MGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
MGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
MGC Omega Ratio Rank: 71
MGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
MGC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

IWY vs. MGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY) and Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC). 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.

	IWY	MGC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	2.42	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	3.30	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.43	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	3.03	-1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.26	13.61	-8.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWY vs. MGC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWY Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the MGC Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWY and MGC, 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

	IWY	MGC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	2.42	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.86	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94	0.90	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	0.60	+0.32

Drawdowns

IWY vs. MGC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWY drawdown since its inception was -32.68%, smaller than the maximum MGC drawdown of -51.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWY and MGC.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWY	MGC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.68%	-51.93%	+19.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.63%	-9.85%	-6.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.22%	-19.28%	-3.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.68%	-25.74%	-6.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.68%	-33.07%	+0.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.82%	-0.79%	-1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.75%	-7.06%	+2.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.09%	2.19%	+2.90%

Volatility

IWY vs. MGC - Volatility Comparison

iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY) has a higher volatility of 3.69% compared to Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC) at 3.04%. This indicates that IWY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MGC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWY	MGC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.69%	3.04%	+0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.65%	9.27%	+2.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.54%	12.32%	+3.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.48%	17.27%	+4.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.97%	18.21%	+2.76%

IWY vs. MGC - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWY has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than MGC's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IWY vs. MGC - Dividend Comparison

IWY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than MGC's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF	0.33%	0.36%	0.42%	0.68%	0.88%	0.50%	0.71%	1.06%	1.32%	1.26%	1.51%	1.58%
MGC Vanguard Mega Cap ETF	0.87%	0.93%	1.15%	1.35%	1.65%	1.17%	1.45%	1.81%	2.10%	1.83%	2.14%	2.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWY and MGC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, IWY and MGC 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, IWY or MGC?

IWY has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to MGC (3.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWY dropped -32.68% vs MGC's -51.93%.

Which ETF is better, IWY or MGC?

On 10-year performance, IWY leads with 19.57% vs 16.36% for MGC. On fees, MGC is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, MGC has been the lower-risk option at 3.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWY or MGC?

Over the 10-year period, IWY has performed better with a 19.57% return vs 16.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWY or MGC?

MGC is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for IWY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IWY or MGC?

MGC has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.33% for IWY.

What is the main difference between IWY and MGC?

IWY is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while MGC is Large Cap Blend Equities. IWY tracks Russell Top 200 Growth Index, while MGC tracks CRSP US Mega Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for IWY and 0.05% for MGC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.73), 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.