DGRO vs VTV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, DGRO yields more: 1.83% (dividend yield) against 1.83% for VTV. VTV is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.08%. Over the same 12 years (Jun 2014 to Oct 2026), DGRO returned 12.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and VTV 11.5%.
DGROiShares Core Dividend Growth ETF1.83%dividend yield| Compared | DGRO | VTV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.83% | 1.83% |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +21.4% | +25.3% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +21.5% | +22.0% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.3% | +12.4% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +14.1% | +13.0% |
| Worst drop since Jun 2014 | -21.9% | -25.0% |
| Share price since Jun 2014 | +224% | +182% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Assets | $45.3B | $263.7B |
| Started | 2014 | 2004 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
DGRO
1.83%
Lower cost
VTV
0.03%
Better total return
DGRO
12.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
DGRO
-21.9%
Key facts: DGRO vs VTV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, DGRO yields 1.83% (dividend yield) and VTV yields 1.83% (dividend yield).
- DGRO's expense ratio is 0.08% and VTV's is 0.03%: $8 vs $3 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 VTV to $38,252 (11.5% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -21.9% for DGRO and -25.0% for VTV.
- 4 of DGRO's top ten holdings are also in VTV's top ten, an overlap of at least 9% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DGRO vs VTV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/dgro-vs-vtv
$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
VTV became
$38,252
11.5% a year
Year by year
| Year | DGRO | VTV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +15.7% | +15.3% |
| 2024 | +16.6% | +15.9% |
| 2023 | +10.5% | +9.3% |
| 2022 | −7.9% | −2.1% |
| 2021 | +26.6% | +26.5% |
| 2020 | +9.5% | +2.3% |
| 2019 | +29.9% | +25.7% |
| 2018 | −2.4% | −5.5% |
| 2017 | +23.0% | +17.1% |
| 2016 | +15.2% | +17.1% |
| 2015 | −1.2% | −1.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
4 of the top ten overlap, at least 9% 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%
VTV
- MU Micron Technology Inc4.6%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co3.3%
- BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B2.9%
- XOM ExxonMobil Holdings Corp2.6%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson2.4%
- ABBV AbbVie Inc1.8%
- WMT Walmart Inc1.7%
- CVX Chevron Corp1.5%
- CSCO Cisco Systems Inc1.4%
- CAT Caterpillar Inc1.4%
DGRO vs VTV: questions
Is DGRO or VTV better?
It depends on the job. DGRO pays more today (1.83% vs 1.83%), VTV 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 VTV?
DGRO, at 1.83% against 1.83% for VTV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $183 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 11.5% for VTV. $10,000 became $42,805 vs $38,252.
Which is cheaper, DGRO or VTV?
VTV, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.08%.
Do DGRO and VTV hold the same things?
Partly. 4 of their top ten holdings match (JPM, XOM, JNJ, ABBV), at least 9% 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.