DGRO tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. JEPI combines actively selected equities with equity-linked notes for option-income exposure. A dividend-growth mandate and a current-income mandate can produce different holdings and returns even when they share some stocks.
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
DGRO has outpaced JEPI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.61% total return against 6.92%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: DGRO has compounded at 10.63% a year, against 7.50% for JEPI. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 30, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since May 2020” measures every fund from May 21, 2020 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Side-by-side snapshot
Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric;
each column is one fund.
Seeks to track the investment results of the Morningstar U.S. Dividend Growth Index, which measures the performance of U.S. equities with a history of consistently growing dividends. Companies must have a payout ratio less than 75% and are excluded if in the top decile based on dividend yield.
Seeks monthly income and lower volatility than the broad U.S. large-cap market by combining an actively managed portfolio of equities with equity-linked notes that sell call options on the S&P 500 Index.
Bottom lineChoose DGRO if you want a dividend-growth screen and accept variable dividends. Choose JEPI if you want active equity income and accept ELN and option tradeoffs. Compare net total returns over matching dates, distribution sources, and current holdings. A distribution rate is not a return forecast, and tax return of capital alone does not establish economic loss. Payments and prices can fall.
Dividend-stock selection versus equity-linked income
DGRO tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. JEPI combines actively selected equities with equity-linked notes for option-income exposure. A dividend-growth mandate and a current-income mandate can produce different holdings and returns even when they share some stocks.
DGRO
JEPI
Approach
Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index
Active equities and income ELNs
Risk review
Equity losses, dividend cuts, and concentration
Equity losses, forgone upside, and ELN counterparty/valuation risks
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on DGRO.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
JPMorgan is a major provider of ETFs spanning multiple asset classes and strategies, with particular strength in income-focused funds including their popular covered call strategy lineup. Their fund family encompasses broad categories including bond, equity, factor, income, index, international, municipal, and sector ETFs, providing investors with diverse exposure options across markets and investment styles. The issuer offers both core indexed strategies and actively managed solutions, serving investors seeking everything from traditional dividend income to sophisticated factor-based and thematic approaches.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on JEPI.
DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) and JEPI (JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
JEPI offers the higher yield at 7.93% vs 2.04% for DGRO. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
DGRO is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.08% compared to 0.35%.
JEPI is the larger fund by assets ($45.7B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, DGRO would generate roughly $51.00 cash per distribution, while JEPI would produce $66.08 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates.
DGRO yield2.04%
JEPI yield7.93%
Cash diff on $10K$15.08
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, DGRO would cost approximately $80 in fees vs $350 for JEPI (simplified, not compounded). The $270.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
DGRO ER0.08%
JEPI ER0.35%
Strategy & risk
DGRO tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. JEPI combines actively selected equities with equity-linked notes for option-income exposure. A dividend-growth mandate and a current-income mandate can produce different holdings and returns even when they share some stocks. Beta describes historical benchmark sensitivity, not guaranteed downside protection.
DGRO beta0.66
JEPI beta0.43
Fund details
DGRO is managed by iShares (launched 06/10/2014) with $42.5B in assets. JEPI is managed by JPMorgan (launched 05/20/2020) with $45.7B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Does DGRO guarantee growing income while JEPI protects against losses?
Neither guarantee follows from its objective. DGRO's holdings can cut dividends, and the fund's payments can change. JEPI seeks income and lower volatility, but equity losses and ELN risks remain. Evaluate actual net total returns and distribution records over the same dates.
How should I compare risk and ownership costs?
Use matching dates and definitions for returns, distributions, and fees. Beta describes historical benchmark sensitivity, not guaranteed downside protection. Check current bid-ask spreads and premiums or discounts; AUM alone does not determine the price available for your order.
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