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 HST is ratedTier 3 (Specialty).DGRW is structurally lower risk than HST.
| Metric | DGRW | HST |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 12.72% | 23.37% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 9.67% | 15.81% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.15% | -32.48% |
| 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.
HST (Host Hotels & Resorts Inc.) is a sector-specific income 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: Concentrates on sector-specific opportunities, typically REITs, MLPs, or BDCs with higher baseline yields.
In the head-to-head battle of DGRW vs HST, the choice depends on your specific goal. HST wins for Immediate Income with a 7.56% yield. However, HST 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
HST
Annual Yield: 7.56%
$630/mo
($7,555/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: HST generates $4,502/year more than DGRW on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $90,032 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. HST has delivered a superior Total Return of 23.37% 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
DGRW (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -22.15%
-$22,150
Worst unrealized loss
HST (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -32.48%
-$32,480
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: DGRW saved investors $10,330 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: DGRW 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.