DGRO vs SPLV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, SPLV yields more: 2.12% (dividend yield) against 1.83% for DGRO. DGRO is cheaper to own at 0.08% a year vs 0.25%. Over the same 12 years (Jun 2014 to Oct 2026), DGRO returned 12.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and SPLV 8.7%.
DGROiShares Core Dividend Growth ETF1.83%dividend yield| Compared | DGRO | SPLV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.83% | 2.12% |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.25% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +21.4% | +10.9% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +21.5% | +11.8% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.3% | +6.0% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +14.1% | +8.9% |
| Worst drop since Jun 2014 | -21.9% | -21.4% |
| Share price since Jun 2014 | +224% | +115% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | Invesco |
| Assets | $45.3B | $7.6B |
| Started | 2014 | 2011 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
SPLV
2.12%
Lower cost
DGRO
0.08%
Better total return
DGRO
12.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SPLV
-21.4%
Key facts: DGRO vs SPLV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, DGRO yields 1.83% (dividend yield) and SPLV yields 2.12% (dividend yield).
- DGRO's expense ratio is 0.08% and SPLV's is 0.25%: $8 vs $25 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 SPLV to $28,058 (8.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -21.9% for DGRO and -21.4% for SPLV.
- 0 of DGRO's top ten holdings are also in SPLV's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DGRO vs SPLV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/dgro-vs-splv
$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
SPLV became
$28,058
8.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | DGRO | SPLV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +15.7% | +4.1% |
| 2024 | +16.6% | +13.9% |
| 2023 | +10.5% | +0.5% |
| 2022 | −7.9% | −4.9% |
| 2021 | +26.6% | +24.1% |
| 2020 | +9.5% | −1.4% |
| 2019 | +29.9% | +27.9% |
| 2018 | −2.4% | −0.2% |
| 2017 | +23.0% | +17.3% |
| 2016 | +15.2% | +10.1% |
| 2015 | −1.2% | +4.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
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%
SPLV
- BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B1.4%
- WEC WEC Energy Group Inc1.3%
- DUK Duke Energy Corp1.3%
- EVRG Evergy Inc1.3%
- CNP CenterPoint Energy Inc1.3%
- ATO Atmos Energy Corp1.3%
- LNT Alliant Energy Corp1.2%
- PNW Pinnacle West Capital Corp1.2%
- FE FirstEnergy Corp1.2%
- ED Consolidated Edison Inc1.2%
DGRO vs SPLV: questions
Is DGRO or SPLV better?
It depends on the job. SPLV pays more today (2.12% vs 1.83%), DGRO costs less, and DGRO has the better total return over Jun 2014 to Oct 2026, with SPLV 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 SPLV?
SPLV, at 2.12% against 1.83% for DGRO as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $212 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 8.7% for SPLV. $10,000 became $42,805 vs $28,058.
Which is cheaper, DGRO or SPLV?
DGRO, with a 0.08% expense ratio against 0.25%.
Do DGRO and SPLV hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
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 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.