Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: BRO is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus)while DVY is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone).DVY is structurally lower risk than BRO.
| Metric | BRO | DVY |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -33.31% | 12.55% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -34.14% | 8.25% |
| Max Drawdown | -42.06% | -21.17% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
BRO (Brown & Brown Inc.) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by institutional managers. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With significant capital, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
DVY (iShares Select Dividend) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by iShares. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $20.9B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
In the head-to-head battle of BRO vs DVY, the choice depends on your specific goal. DVY wins for Immediate Income with a 4.30% yield. However, DVY is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
BRO
Annual Yield: 0.83%
$69/mo
($829/year)
Frequency: quarterly
DVY
Annual Yield: 4.30%
$358/mo
($4,296/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: DVY generates $3,467/year more than BRO on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $69,342 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. DVY has delivered a superior Total Return of 12.55% over the past year.
What is Max Drawdown? Max drawdown measures the largest peak-to-trough decline in portfolio value during a specific period. Unlike NAV change (which only looks at start vs. end), max drawdown captures the worst moment of pain an investor experienced.
Real-World Scenario: $100,000 Investment
DVY (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -21.17%
-$21,170
Worst unrealized loss
BRO (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -42.06%
-$42,060
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: DVY saved investors $20,890 in drawdown severity on a $100k position.
Why This Matters More Than Total Return: During bear markets or corrections, investors with lower max drawdown are:
⚖️ Capital Preservation Winner: DVY demonstrated superior downside protection, making it the better choice for retirees who cannot afford steep temporary losses.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.