Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: DGRW is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while EXR is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus).DGRW is structurally lower risk than EXR.
| Metric | DGRW | EXR |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 12.72% | 0.02% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 9.67% | -4.68% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.15% | -21.50% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
DGRW (WisdomTree US Dividend Growth) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by WisdomTree. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $15.9B 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.
EXR (Extra Space Storage 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.
In the head-to-head battle of DGRW vs EXR, the choice depends on your specific goal. EXR wins for Immediate Income with a 4.70% yield. However, DGRW 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:
DGRW
Annual Yield: 3.05%
$254/mo
($3,054/year)
Frequency: monthly
EXR
Annual Yield: 4.70%
$391/mo
($4,697/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: EXR generates $1,643/year more than DGRW on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $32,859 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. DGRW has delivered a superior Total Return of 12.72% over the past year.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.