DGRO vs VIG
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF vs Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF
Which is better, DGRO or VIG?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VIG has a lower expense ratio. DGRO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. DGRO is less concentrated, with 27.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 32.0%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DGRO | VIG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $43.4B | $111.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.87% | 1.48% |
| Holdings | 397 | 335 |
| YTD Return | +13.11%Best | +9.42% |
| 1Y Return | +17.42%Best | +12.39% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.57%Best | +16.13% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.96%Best | +10.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -31.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,820Best | $16,378 |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.2%Best | 32.0% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 10, 2014 | Apr 21, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 12, 2014 to Sep 11, 2026 (12.2 years).
DGRO vs VIG growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12.2 years both funds cover.
DGRO vs VIG Performance
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DGRO returned +17.42% while VIG returned +12.39%. Year to date, DGRO is up 13.11% versus a gain of 9.42% for VIG.
Over three years, DGRO compounded at +17.57% per year against +16.13% for VIG; over five years the annualized figures are +10.96% and +10.37% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, DGRO has the edge at +11.00% annualized vs +10.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DGRO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 13.1% for VIG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -35.1% for DGRO and -31.7% for VIG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DGRO charges 0.08% per year while VIG charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $4 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DGRO currently yields 1.87% against 1.48% for VIG.
Holdings Overlap
79.9% of DGRO's money is in holdings VIG also owns. 95.8% of VIG's money is in holdings DGRO also owns.
Most of VIG is already inside DGRO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
241 positions in common, counted across the 391 positions we hold weights for in DGRO and 331 in VIG, against full books of 397 and 335.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 69 positions for VIG that do not appear in our book for DGRO (3.6% of the fund), and 141 for DGRO that do not appear in VIG (19.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DGRO | Weight in VIG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.70% | 4.55% | 1.85% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.84% | 4.22% | 1.38% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 3.35% | 3.53% | 0.18% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 3.18% | 3.57% | 0.39% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 3.03% | 2.68% | 0.35% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.19% | 4.15% | 2.96% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.76% | 2.48% | 0.28% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 2.86% | 1.95% | 0.91% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 2.24% | 1.54% | 0.70% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 2.17% | 1.49% | 0.68% |
95.8% of VIG is already inside DGRO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DGRO or VIG?
DGRO has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VIG charges 0.04%. VIG is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DGRO or VIG?
Over the past year DGRO returned +17.42% vs +12.39% for VIG, so DGRO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), DGRO annualized +11.00% vs +10.57% for VIG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DGRO or VIG?
DGRO has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 13.1% for VIG. Worst drawdown: DGRO -35.1% vs VIG -31.7%.
Should I hold both DGRO and VIG?
DGRO and VIG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DGRO and VIG?
95.8% of VIG's money is in holdings DGRO also owns. 95.8% of VIG's is in holdings DGRO also owns. They hold 241 positions in common, counted across the 391 positions we hold weights for in DGRO and 331 in VIG.
Which pays a higher dividend, DGRO or VIG?
DGRO yields 1.87% while VIG yields 1.48%, so DGRO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VIG better than DGRO?
VIG has a lower expense ratio. DGRO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. DGRO is less concentrated, with 27.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 32.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.