If you want maximum headline income
→ DGRO
DGRO leads yield (~5.8%) and also leads 1Y total return — income without an obvious total-return penalty in this window.
Two income funds compared side-by-side using the available DivAgent snapshot. See which one fits your yield strategy.
8-second verdict · always free
If you want maximum headline income
→ DGRO
DGRO leads yield (~5.8%) and also leads 1Y total return — income without an obvious total-return penalty in this window.
If you want total return (paid + price)
→ DGRO
DGRO leads 1Y total return (~19.2%) while also leading yield in this pair.
If you need sleep-at-night sizing
→ Either, sized right
Matched risk tiers (Tier 2). Differentiate on yield sustainability and total return, not safety rating.
Neither fund currently meets this page's high-yield and NAV-decline screen. That result does not establish distribution sustainability or composition; those require separate issuer evidence.
When the edge flips — yield, total return, or NAV path — we email the updated tape. Plus the free Yield Trap cheat sheet: what high-yield funds actually paid vs what their prices did.
Path A · Still deciding
Related battlesMore DGRO and DGRW matchups in the same decision space — different trade-offs.
Path B · Picked a side
Full ticker auditsDeep-dive DGRO or DGRW: distribution history, risk tier, peer set.
Audit DGRW →Path C · Want a system
Leaderboard & portfoliosSee how income funds rank by risk tier and matrix cell — then track holdings free.
What this means: Both DGRO and DGRW fall intoTier 2: Yield Plus. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | DGRO | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 19.17% | 12.51% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 13.34% | 10.46% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.94% | -22.15% |
| Beta | N/A | N/A |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
DGRO (iShares Core Div Growth) is listed with BlackRock as provider. Reported assets under management: $39.6B.
Observed profile: DivAgent currently reports Tier 2, 5.83% annualized yield, 13.34% 1Y NAV change, and 19.17% 1Y total return. The tier is a risk classification; it does not by itself identify the fund's holdings or strategy.
DGRW (WisdomTree US Dividend Growth) is listed with WisdomTree as provider. Reported assets under management: $16.4B.
Observed profile: DivAgent currently reports Tier 2, 2.05% annualized yield, 10.46% 1Y NAV change, and 12.51% 1Y total return. The tier is a risk classification; it does not by itself identify the fund's holdings or strategy.
In the head-to-head battle of DGRO vs DGRW, the choice depends on your specific goal. DGRO leads Immediate Income with a 5.83% yield. DGRO leads 1Y Total Return in the current data.
Compare the reported annualized yield, payout frequency, and DivAgent risk tier.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
DGRO
Annual Yield: 5.83%
$486/mo
($5,829/year)
Frequency: quarterly
DGRW
Annual Yield: 2.05%
$171/mo
($2,052/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: DGRO generates $3,777/year more than DGRW on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $75,532 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Compare annualized yield with NAV change and total return rather than using the yield figure alone.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. DGRO has the higher current 1Y total return at 19.17%.
What is an Expense Ratio? The annual fee charged by the fund, expressed as a percentage of assets. It's deducted daily from the fund's NAV, making it invisible to most investors—but it compounds over time.
DGRO (LOWER COST)
0.080%
Annual expense ratio
DGRW (HIGHER COST)
0.280%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.20%": That seemingly small difference of 0.200% annually becomes $4,000 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$11,718 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: DGRO is the clear winner for long-term buy-and-hold investors. Lower fees mean more capital compounds in YOUR account, not the fund manager's.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.