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 NLY is ratedTier 4 (Harvest).DGRW is structurally lower risk than NLY.
| Metric | DGRW | NLY |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 12.72% | 20.73% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 9.67% | 8.56% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.15% | -29.10% |
| 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.
NLY (Annaly Capital Management, Inc.) is a options-based income fund managed by mREIT. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With significant capital, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
In the head-to-head battle of DGRW vs NLY, the choice depends on your specific goal. NLY wins for Immediate Income with a 12.17% yield. However, NLY 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
NLY
Annual Yield: 12.17%
$1,014/mo
($12,169/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: NLY generates $9,115/year more than DGRW on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $182,298 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. NLY has delivered a superior Total Return of 20.73% 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
NLY (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -29.10%
-$29,100
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: DGRW saved investors $6,950 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.