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 ET is ratedTier 3 (Specialty).DIVG is structurally lower risk than ET.
| Metric | DIVG | ET |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 9.45% | -0.73% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 6.23% | -8.50% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.29% | -22.91% |
| 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.
ET (Energy Transfer) is a sector-specific income fund managed by MLP. 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 DIVG vs ET, the choice depends on your specific goal. ET wins for Immediate Income with a 7.77% 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
ET
Annual Yield: 7.77%
$647/mo
($7,767/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: ET generates $4,550/year more than DIVG on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $90,993 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
ET (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -22.91%
-$22,910
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: DIVG saved investors $4,620 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.