DGRO ETF — iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO)

Updated October 8, 2026.

DGRO is a low-cost ETF that tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. its distribution rate is 2.00%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.94%, its expense ratio is 0.08%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 100/100 (Safe). Total return is 314.0% over the past 12.3 years, 78.6 points behind SPY at 392.6%.

At the current 2.00% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $200 per year, or about $50.00 per quarter if the next payment matches the last regular one.

This ETF tracks the Morningstar U.S. Dividend Growth Index, investing in U.S. companies with histories of consistently growing dividends while maintaining payout ratios below 75% and avoiding the highest-yield stocks. The fund offers a modest current distribution rate paid quarterly and carries a very low expense ratio of 0.08%. It appeals to income investors seeking dividend growth rather than high current yield, as the strategy prioritizes companies with sustainable and expanding dividend payments over time.

DGRO performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-08.

Total return is 314.0% over the past 12.3 years, 78.6 points behind SPY at 392.6%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 14.5%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 6.5%.

DGRO key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

100 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.00%

Issuer

iShares

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

06/10/2014

Expense ratio

0.08%

Distribution rate

2.00%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

1.94%

Last close

$76.88 (as of 2026-10-08)

AUM

$42,206,153,693

Average volume

1269723.0

Last dividend

$0.385

Last ex-dividend date

09/15/2026

Last payment date

09/18/2026 (as of 2026-09-18)

Beta

0.66

P/E ratio

21.9493

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.00%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (1.94%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: iShares or company page; Index: Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

DGRO risks and drawbacks

DGRO's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 6.5%.

Who may consider DGRO — and who may not

DGRO may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (DGRO pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare DGRO

DGRO vs similar funds:

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• DGRO vs SPY
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Frequently asked questions

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