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 STWD is ratedTier 4 (Harvest).DGRW is structurally lower risk than STWD.
| Metric | DGRW | STWD |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 12.72% | 0.23% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 9.67% | -10.48% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.15% | -17.60% |
| 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.
STWD (Starwood Property Trust, 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 STWD, the choice depends on your specific goal. STWD wins for Immediate Income with a 10.71% 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.
What is a Yield Trap? A yield trap occurs when a fund advertises an attractive headline yield (10.71% in STWD's case), but that income is partially funded by Return of Capital (ROC) distributions rather than genuine earnings or realized gains. This means you're essentially receiving your own money back, while the fund's NAV erodes.
12-MONTH PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN:
Why This Matters: For retirees withdrawing income, this creates a double-whammy effect:
⚖️ Verdict: STWD exhibits classic yield trap characteristics. Income investors should allocate cautiously and consider pairing with capital-preserving assets (Tier 1-2 funds).
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
STWD
Annual Yield: 10.71%
$892/mo
($10,708/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: STWD generates $7,655/year more than DGRW on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $153,091 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.
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
STWD (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -17.60%
-$17,600
Worst unrealized loss
DGRW (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -22.15%
-$22,150
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: STWD saved investors $4,550 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: STWD 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.