Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: DIVG is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while ECL is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus).DIVG is structurally lower risk than ECL.
| Metric | DIVG | ECL |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 9.45% | 5.07% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 6.23% | 4.03% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.29% | -20.95% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
DIVG (Invesco Dividend Growth) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by Invesco. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $9.1M 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.
ECL (Ecolab 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 DIVG vs ECL, the choice depends on your specific goal. DIVG wins for Immediate Income with a 3.22% yield. However, DIVG 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:
DIVG
Annual Yield: 3.22%
$268/mo
($3,217/year)
Frequency: monthly
ECL
Annual Yield: 1.04%
$86/mo
($1,035/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: DIVG generates $2,182/year more than ECL on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $43,632 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. DIVG has delivered a superior Total Return of 9.45% 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
DIVG (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -18.29%
-$18,290
Worst unrealized loss
ECL (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -20.95%
-$20,950
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: DIVG saved investors $2,660 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: DIVG 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.