DGRO vs FDL: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, FDL yields more: 3.56% (dividend yield) against 1.83% for DGRO. DGRO is cheaper to own at 0.08% a year vs 0.43%. Over the same 12 years (Jun 2014 to Oct 2026), DGRO returned 12.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and FDL 11.3%.
DGROiShares Core Dividend Growth ETF1.83%dividend yield| Compared | DGRO | FDL |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.83% | 3.56% |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.43% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +21.4% | +31.1% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +21.5% | +24.0% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.3% | +14.9% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +14.1% | +11.9% |
| Worst drop since Jun 2014 | -21.9% | -30.5% |
| Share price since Jun 2014 | +224% | +126% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | iShares | First Trust |
| Assets | $45.3B | $8.4B |
| Started | 2014 | 2006 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
FDL
3.56%
Lower cost
DGRO
0.08%
Better total return
DGRO
12.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
DGRO
-21.9%
Key facts: DGRO vs FDL
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, DGRO yields 1.83% (dividend yield) and FDL yields 3.56% (dividend yield).
- DGRO's expense ratio is 0.08% and FDL's is 0.43%: $8 vs $43 a year on $10,000.
- From Jun 2014 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in DGRO grew to $42,805 (12.5% a year) and $10,000 in FDL to $37,311 (11.3% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -21.9% for DGRO and -30.5% for FDL.
- 1 of DGRO's top ten holdings are also in FDL's top ten, an overlap of at least 2% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DGRO vs FDL: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/dgro-vs-fdl
$10,000 in each, Jun 2014 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
DGRO became
$42,805
12.5% a year
FDL became
$37,311
11.3% a year
Year by year
| Year | DGRO | FDL |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +15.7% | +14.8% |
| 2024 | +16.6% | +18.0% |
| 2023 | +10.5% | +3.0% |
| 2022 | −7.9% | +6.7% |
| 2021 | +26.6% | +26.1% |
| 2020 | +9.5% | −4.3% |
| 2019 | +29.9% | +24.4% |
| 2018 | −2.4% | −6.0% |
| 2017 | +23.0% | +12.0% |
| 2016 | +15.2% | +20.7% |
| 2015 | −1.2% | +2.6% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
1 of the top ten overlap, at least 2% of each fund.
DGRO
- XOM ExxonMobil Holdings Corp3.3%
- ABBV AbbVie Inc3.0%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp3.0%
- AAPL Apple Inc3.0%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson2.8%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co2.7%
- PG Procter & Gamble Co2.4%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.4%
- PM Philip Morris International Inc2.3%
- HD The Home Depot Inc2.1%
FDL
- CVX Chevron Corp9.3%
- PM Philip Morris International Inc6.6%
- PFE Pfizer Inc6.5%
- VZ Verizon Communications Inc6.5%
- MO Altria Group Inc5.0%
- PEP PepsiCo Inc5.0%
- ACN Accenture PLC Class A3.3%
- UPS United Parcel Service Inc Class B3.2%
- BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Co3.0%
- CMCSA Comcast Corp Class A2.5%
DGRO vs FDL: questions
Is DGRO or FDL better?
It depends on the job. FDL pays more today (3.56% vs 1.83%), DGRO costs less, and DGRO has the better total return over Jun 2014 to Oct 2026, with DGRO holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, DGRO or FDL?
FDL, at 3.56% against 1.83% for DGRO as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $356 vs $183 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
DGRO. From Jun 2014 to Oct 2026, it returned 12.5% a year with distributions reinvested, against 11.3% for FDL. $10,000 became $42,805 vs $37,311.
Which is cheaper, DGRO or FDL?
DGRO, with a 0.08% expense ratio against 0.43%.
Do DGRO and FDL hold the same things?
Partly. 1 of their top ten holdings match (PM), at least 2% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.