Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: DVY is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while FRT is ratedTier 3 (Specialty).DVY is structurally lower risk than FRT.
| Metric | DVY | FRT |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 12.55% | 1.66% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 8.25% | -2.81% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.17% | -20.89% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
DVY (iShares Select Dividend) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by iShares. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $20.9B 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.
FRT (Federal Realty Investment Trust) 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 DVY vs FRT, the choice depends on your specific goal. FRT wins for Immediate Income with a 4.47% yield. However, DVY 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:
DVY
Annual Yield: 4.30%
$358/mo
($4,296/year)
Frequency: quarterly
FRT
Annual Yield: 4.47%
$372/mo
($4,468/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: FRT generates $172/year more than DVY on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $3,440 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. DVY has delivered a superior Total Return of 12.55% over the past year.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.