ETF Versus

DGRO vs VYM

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares

Last updated: 2026-04-10

DGRO iShares

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.08%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 2.05%. Launched in 2014, the fund has a 12-year track record.

AUM: $38.7B ER: 0.08% Yield: 2.05% Since: Jun 10, 2014
VYM Vanguard

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) is an exchange-traded fund issued by Vanguard that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges a very low expense ratio of 0.04%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 2.31%. Launched in 2006, the fund has a 20-year track record.

AUM: $74.7B ER: 0.04% Yield: 2.31% Since: Nov 10, 2006

Quick Verdict

VYM has a slightly lower expense ratio (0.04% vs 0.08%), saving about $80 per $10,000 over 10 years. VYM has edged ahead over the past year (27.9% vs 25.5%).

Key Metrics

Metric DGRO VYM
Expense Ratio 0.08% 0.04%
Dividend Yield 2.0% 2.3%
Fund Family iShares Vanguard
Category US Dividend US Dividend

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

85 99 113 127 141 155 2021-04 2022-07 2023-10 2025-01 2026-04
DGRO +45.4%
VYM +48.6%

Performance Comparison

Period DGRO VYM Difference
1 Month +0.94% +1.40% -0.46%
3 Months +1.25% +3.22% -1.97%
6 Months +6.45% +9.20% -2.75%
YTD +3.09% +5.27% -2.18%
1 Year +25.47% +27.88% -2.41%
3 Years +42.75% +42.71% +0.04%
5 Years +45.37% +48.59% -3.22%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period DGRO Fees VYM Fees You Save
$10,000 10 years $159 $80 $80
$10,000 20 years $686 $344 $342
$10,000 30 years $2,212 $1,112 $1,100
$50,000 10 years $797 $399 $398
$50,000 30 years $11,061 $5,560 $5,501
$100,000 30 years $22,123 $11,121 $11,002

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric DGRO VYM
Annualized Volatility 14.0% 14.0%
Max Drawdown -20.7% -17.5%
Sharpe Ratio 0.29 0.32

Dividend Comparison

Metric DGRO VYM
Annual Dividend (per share) $1.47 $3.51
Dividend Yield 2.04% 2.31%
Distribution Frequency Quarterly Quarterly

Top Holdings

7 of top 10 holdings overlap (70% overlap in top holdings)

DGRO Top Holdings

NameWeight
JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPM3.06%
Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM3.00%
Apple Inc.AAPL2.86%
Johnson & JohnsonJNJ2.83%
Broadcom Inc.AVGO2.79%
Microsoft CorporationMSFT2.73%
AbbVie Inc.ABBV2.58%
The Procter & Gamble CompanyPG2.08%
Merck & Co., Inc.MRK2.02%
The Home Depot, Inc.HD1.98%

VYM Top Holdings

NameWeight
Broadcom Inc.AVGO6.48%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPM3.36%
Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM2.83%
Johnson & JohnsonJNJ2.63%
Walmart Inc.WMT2.44%
AbbVie Inc.ABBV1.81%
The Procter & Gamble CompanyPG1.72%
The Home Depot, Inc.HD1.66%
Chevron CorporationCVX1.54%
Caterpillar Inc.CAT1.51%

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose VYM if...

you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.

Choose VYM if...

recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

Either works if...

you just need broad us dividend exposure. Both are solid options — pick whichever your brokerage offers commission-free.

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