Dividend comparison

DGRO vs CGDV: Which Is Better for Income?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF and Capital Group Dividend Value ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

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DGRO vs CGDV: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Fees. DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% a year versus 0.33% for CGDV. On $10,000 that is $25 a year less in fees.
  • Income. DGRO pays more income, yielding 1.88% over the last twelve months versus 1.23% for CGDV. That is about $66 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
  • Performance. Over the last 3 years, CGDV returned 94.7% versus 70.7% for DGRO, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $19,473 in CGDV and $17,071 in DGRO.
  • Risk. CGDV has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 3 years was -21.9%, against -19.3% for DGRO.
  • Diversification. DGRO holds 391 positions and CGDV holds 58.
  • Dividend growth. DGRO grew its yearly payout 7.9% a year over the last 2 years, versus 7.0% for CGDV.

Bottom line: DGRO fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today and broader diversification. CGDV fits better if you care most about stronger 3-year returns.

Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
MetricDGRO
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF
CGDV
Capital Group Dividend Value ETF
Dividend yield (TTM)1.88%1.23%
Dividend / share (TTM)$1.49$0.60
Payout frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Last dividend$0.3850 on Sep 18, 2026$0.1522 on Oct 1, 2026
Ex-dividend dateSep 15, 2026Sep 30, 2026
Dividend growth (CAGR)7.9% over 4 yrs7.0% over 2 yrs
Price$79.26$49.17
Dividend growth streak10 years2 years
Beta0.670.90
Max drawdown (5Y)-19.3%-21.9%
Market cap$43.96B$38.84B
ExchangeAMEXAMEX
Expense ratio0.08%0.33%
Assets under management$44.19B$38.84B
Number of holdings39158
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

DGRO

$15.71/mo

$188 /yr at 1.88% yield

CGDV

$10.21/mo

$123 /yr at 1.23% yield

Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. DGRO pays quarterly; CGDV pays quarterly.
YearDGROCGDV
2025$1.4506$0.5649
2024$1.3851$0.5636
2023$1.3159$0.4932
2022$1.1679—
2021$1.0718—
Strategy: Dividend equity
Rules-based equity funds that screen for companies paying sustainable or rising dividends, aiming at income plus long-term share-price participation. The screen is what defines the fund: yield-ranked indexes deliver more cash now, dividend-growth indexes deliberately exclude the highest payers in favor of durability. Both approaches produce a sector mix that looks nothing like the broad market, typically heavier in financials, healthcare, staples and industrials.

Expect stretches of underperformance versus the broad market whenever leadership comes from the high-growth, low-yield companies these screens exclude.

What DGRO vs CGDV actually do

DGRO
An iShares fund holding a wide set of US companies with a record of raising their dividends.

It tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index, which requires at least five consecutive years of dividend growth, a payout ratio under 75%, a positive earnings forecast, no REITs, and excludes the top 10% of the universe by yield. The five-year requirement is looser than VIG's ten, so the portfolio is broader, running to several hundred names. Holdings are weighted by the total dollar value of dividends paid rather than by market cap, which tilts weight toward the largest actual dividend payers rather than the largest companies.

Suits an investor who wants dividend growth with more names and a slightly higher starting yield than a stricter growth screen delivers. Less suitable for someone who wants concentrated exposure to only the longest-running dividend raisers.

Dividend growth, broad

Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Feb 24, 2022 would now be worth $16,885 in DGRO and $21,148 in CGDV.
PeriodDGROCGDV
1 month3.08%0.43%
3 months2.75%0.78%
Year to date14.17%12.67%
1 year15.72%16.68%
3 years70.71%94.73%
5 years64.54%—
  • DGRO
  • CGDV
7515323120222023202420252026169211

Both series indexed to 100 on 2022-02-24 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
  • DGRO
  • CGDV
0%9%19%28%38%Technology19.5%37.8%Healthcare17.2%7.9%Financial Services19.7%5.1%Industrials11.2%11.8%Financials19.2%Information Technology17.8%Consumer Defensive12.2%5.4%Health Care17.4%Consumer Cyclical5.9%8.1%Consumer Staples12.8%Other24.1%23.8%

Quick verdict

DGRO fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today and broader diversification. CGDV fits better if you care most about stronger 3-year returns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.

Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how DGRO vs CGDV fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
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Frequently asked questions

Is DGRO or CGDV better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. DGRO currently yields 1.88% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while CGDV yields 1.23%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between DGRO and CGDV?
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Capital Group Dividend Value ETF (CGDV) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, DGRO or CGDV?
DGRO has the lower expense ratio. DGRO charges 0.08% a year and CGDV charges 0.33%, a difference of $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, DGRO or CGDV?
Over the last 3 years, CGDV has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: DGRO returned 70.7% and CGDV returned 94.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, DGRO or CGDV?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, CGDV has been riskier: DGRO fell as much as 19.3% and CGDV as much as 21.9%. Their betas are 0.67 and 0.90.
How often do DGRO and CGDV pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.3850 for DGRO and $0.1522 for CGDV.
How much income does $10,000 in DGRO vs CGDV generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in DGRO would generate roughly $15.71 per month ($188 annually). The same amount in CGDV would produce about $10.21 per month ($123 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both DGRO and CGDV?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare DGRO vs CGDV with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how DGRO and CGDV fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.

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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.