Dividend comparison
HDV vs DLN: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Core High Dividend ETF and WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
HDV vs DLN: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. HDV is cheaper at 0.08% a year versus 0.28% for DLN. On $10,000 that is $20 a year less in fees.
- Income. HDV pays more income, yielding 2.83% over the last twelve months versus 1.73% for DLN. That is about $110 more a year on $10,000. HDV pays quarterly, DLN pays monthly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, HDV returned 82.2% versus 77.7% for DLN, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $18,215 in HDV and $17,769 in DLN.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -15.4% for HDV and -16.3% for DLN from peak to trough.
- Diversification. DLN holds 305 positions and HDV holds 74.
- Dividend growth. DLN grew its yearly payout 5.6% a year over the last 4 years, versus 2.8% for HDV.
- Size. HDV is the larger fund with $15.5 billion in assets, against $6.3 billion for DLN.
Bottom line: HDV fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today and stronger 5-year returns. DLN fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth and broader diversification.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF | DLN WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.83% | 1.73% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.85 | $1.74 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Last dividend | $0.0560 on Sep 21, 2026 | $0.1950 on Sep 29, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 16, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 2.8% over 4 yrs | 5.6% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $30.11 | $100.11 |
| Beta | 0.30 | 0.75 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -15.4% | -16.3% |
| Market cap | $15.63B | $6.31B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.28% |
| Assets under management | $15.52B | $6.29B |
| Number of holdings | 74 | 305 |
| Top 10 concentration | 57.4% | — |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
HDV
$23.58/mo
$283 /yr at 2.83% yield
DLN
$14.44/mo
$173 /yr at 1.73% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. HDV pays quarterly; DLN pays monthly.
| Year | HDV | DLN |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.7821 | $1.6805 |
| 2024 | $0.8230 | $1.5534 |
| 2023 | $0.7787 | $1.6150 |
| 2022 | $0.7431 | $1.5650 |
| 2021 | $0.7016 | $1.3531 |
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 $18,215 in HDV and $17,769 in DLN.
| Period | HDV | DLN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 4.77% | 1.54% |
| 3 months | 7.46% | 3.27% |
| Year to date | 26.57% | 15.16% |
| 1 year | 26.83% | 16.87% |
| 3 years | 70.79% | 74.65% |
| 5 years | 82.15% | 77.69% |
- HDV
- DLN
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.
- HDV
- DLN
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
Quick verdict
HDV fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today and stronger 5-year returns. DLN fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth and broader diversification. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how HDV vs DLN fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is HDV or DLN better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. HDV currently yields 2.83% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while DLN yields 1.73%. 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 HDV and DLN?
iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is an ETF listed on AMEX. WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund (DLN) 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, HDV or DLN?
HDV has the lower expense ratio. HDV charges 0.08% a year and DLN charges 0.28%, a difference of $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, HDV or DLN?
Over the last 5 years, HDV has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: HDV returned 82.2% and DLN returned 77.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, HDV or DLN?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, DLN has been riskier: HDV fell as much as 15.4% and DLN as much as 16.3%. Their betas are 0.30 and 0.75.
How often do HDV and DLN pay dividends?
HDV pays quarterly and DLN pays monthly.
How much income does $10,000 in HDV vs DLN generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in HDV would generate roughly $23.58 per month ($283 annually). The same amount in DLN would produce about $14.44 per month ($173 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both HDV and DLN?
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 HDV vs DLN with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how HDV and DLN 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.