DGRO vs QDF: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, DGRO yields more: 1.83% (dividend yield) against 1.53% for QDF. DGRO is cheaper to own at 0.08% a year vs 0.39%. Over the same 12 years (Jun 2014 to Oct 2026), DGRO returned 12.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and QDF 10.8%.
DGROiShares Core Dividend Growth ETF1.83%dividend yield| Compared | DGRO | QDF |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.83% | 1.53% |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.39% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +21.4% | +14.5% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +21.5% | +20.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.3% | +11.4% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +14.1% | +12.1% |
| Worst drop since Jun 2014 | -21.9% | -25.2% |
| Share price since Jun 2014 | +224% | +158% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | iShares | Northern Trust |
| Assets | $45.3B | $2.2B |
| Started | 2014 | 2012 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
DGRO
1.83%
Lower cost
DGRO
0.08%
Better total return
DGRO
12.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
DGRO
-21.9%
Key facts: DGRO vs QDF
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, DGRO yields 1.83% (dividend yield) and QDF yields 1.53% (dividend yield).
- DGRO's expense ratio is 0.08% and QDF's is 0.39%: $8 vs $39 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 QDF to $35,534 (10.8% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -21.9% for DGRO and -25.2% for QDF.
- 6 of DGRO's top ten holdings are also in QDF's top ten, an overlap of at least 16% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DGRO vs QDF: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/dgro-vs-qdf
$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
QDF became
$35,534
10.8% a year
Year by year
| Year | DGRO | QDF |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +15.7% | +16.6% |
| 2024 | +16.6% | +16.9% |
| 2023 | +10.5% | +19.7% |
| 2022 | −7.9% | −12.1% |
| 2021 | +26.6% | +26.7% |
| 2020 | +9.5% | +4.9% |
| 2019 | +29.9% | +25.7% |
| 2018 | −2.4% | −8.0% |
| 2017 | +23.0% | +17.4% |
| 2016 | +15.2% | +17.0% |
| 2015 | −1.2% | −0.9% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
6 of the top ten overlap, at least 16% 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%
QDF
- AAPL Apple Inc9.8%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.1%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp4.6%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson3.0%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co2.5%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.5%
- GE GE Aerospace2.2%
- LRCX Lam Research Corp2.1%
- PM Philip Morris International Inc2.1%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A1.9%
DGRO vs QDF: questions
Is DGRO or QDF better?
It depends on the job. DGRO pays more today (1.83% vs 1.53%), 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 QDF?
DGRO, at 1.83% against 1.53% for QDF as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $183 vs $153 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 10.8% for QDF. $10,000 became $42,805 vs $35,534.
Which is cheaper, DGRO or QDF?
DGRO, with a 0.08% expense ratio against 0.39%.
Do DGRO and QDF hold the same things?
Partly. 6 of their top ten holdings match (MSFT, AAPL, JNJ, JPM), at least 16% 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. DGRO leads on 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.