Dividend comparison
DIVB vs RDVY: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Core Dividend ETF and First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
DIVB vs RDVY: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. DIVB is cheaper at 0.05% a year versus 0.47% for RDVY. On $10,000 that is $42 a year less in fees.
- Income. DIVB pays more income, yielding 2.13% over the last twelve months versus 0.85% for RDVY. That is about $127 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, DIVB returned 87.2% versus 69.8% for RDVY, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $18,719 in DIVB and $16,979 in RDVY.
- Risk. RDVY has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -25.3%, against -21.1% for DIVB.
- Diversification. DIVB holds 381 positions and RDVY holds 72.
- Dividend growth. DIVB grew its yearly payout 17.4% a year over the last 4 years, versus 9.4% for RDVY.
- Size. RDVY is the larger fund with $25.4 billion in assets, against $2.1 billion for DIVB.
Bottom line: DIVB has the edge on these figures, with lower fees, more income today, stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. RDVY does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF | RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.13% | 0.85% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.48 | $0.68 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.4242 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.1521 on Sep 30, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 24, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 17.4% over 4 yrs | 9.4% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $69.69 | $79.63 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | — |
| Beta | 0.88 | 0.94 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -21.1% | -25.3% |
| Market cap | $1.59B | $25.45B |
| Exchange | CBOE | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.05% | 0.47% |
| Assets under management | $2.14B | $25.45B |
| Number of holdings | 381 | 72 |
| Top 10 concentration | — | 22.1% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
DIVB
$17.73/mo
$213 /yr at 2.13% yield
RDVY
$7.12/mo
$85 /yr at 0.85% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. DIVB pays quarterly; RDVY pays quarterly.
| Year | DIVB | RDVY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.3281 | $0.7733 |
| 2024 | $1.2369 | $0.9722 |
| 2023 | $1.3070 | $1.0797 |
| 2022 | $0.7584 | $0.9700 |
| 2021 | $0.6990 | $0.5390 |
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.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $18,719 in DIVB and $16,979 in RDVY.
| Period | DIVB | RDVY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 4.11% | 0.40% |
| 3 months | 9.11% | -0.46% |
| Year to date | 31.12% | 14.63% |
| 1 year | 33.61% | 18.85% |
| 3 years | 101.94% | 86.40% |
| 5 years | 87.19% | 69.79% |
- DIVB
- RDVY
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 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.
- DIVB
- RDVY
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
RDVY72 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. | 2.37% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.28% |
| VVisa Inc. (Class A) | 2.26% |
| EXPEExpedia Group, Inc. | 2.21% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corporation | 2.20% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. (Class A) | 2.17% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 2.15% |
| GEVGE Vernova Inc. | 2.15% |
| ACNAccenture plc | 2.14% |
| ALLThe Allstate Corporation | 2.13% |
Quick verdict
DIVB has the edge on these figures, with lower fees, more income today, stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. RDVY does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how DIVB vs RDVY fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is DIVB or RDVY better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. DIVB currently yields 2.13% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while RDVY yields 0.85%. 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 DIVB and RDVY?
iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) is an ETF listed on CBOE. First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, DIVB or RDVY?
DIVB has the lower expense ratio. DIVB charges 0.05% a year and RDVY charges 0.47%, a difference of $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, DIVB or RDVY?
Over the last 5 years, DIVB has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: DIVB returned 87.2% and RDVY returned 69.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, DIVB or RDVY?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, RDVY has been riskier: DIVB fell as much as 21.1% and RDVY as much as 25.3%. Their betas are 0.88 and 0.94.
How often do DIVB and RDVY pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.4242 for DIVB and $0.1521 for RDVY.
How much income does $10,000 in DIVB vs RDVY generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in DIVB would generate roughly $17.73 per month ($213 annually). The same amount in RDVY would produce about $7.12 per month ($85 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both DIVB and RDVY?
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 DIVB vs RDVY with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how DIVB and RDVY 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.