ETF Comparison
JEPQ vs DGRO: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| JEPQ | DGRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF | iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF |
| Issuer | JPMorgan | BlackRock |
| Price | $55.52 | $70.20 |
| Distribution yield | 10.58% | 1.96% |
| Expense ratio | 0.35% | 0.08% |
| AUM | $34.6B | $38.8B |
| Distribution frequency | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | NASDAQ 100 | Basket (Growth-focused dividend equity holdings by BlackRock) |
| Objective | Covered Call | 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. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 05/03/2022 | 06/10/2014 |
| Beta | 0.79 | 0.76 |
| Last dividend | $0.56 | $0.33 |
| Ex-dividend date | 04/01/2026 | 03/17/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both popular monthly-pay covered call ETFs, but they take different approaches.
JEPQ offers the higher yield at 10.58% vs 1.96% 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%.
They track different benchmarks: JEPQ is linked to NASDAQ 100 while DGRO tracks Basket (Growth-focused dividend equity holdings by BlackRock), which means their performance drivers differ.
DGRO is the larger fund by assets ($38.8B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, JEPQ would generate roughly $88.17/month while DGRO would produce $16.33/month at current distribution rates. Both pay monthly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, JEPQ would cost approximately $350 in fees vs $80 for DGRO (simplified, not compounded). The $270.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
JEPQ tracks NASDAQ 100 with a covered call approach, while DGRO tracks Basket (Growth-focused dividend equity holdings by BlackRock) using a 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. strategy. Beta is 0.79 for JEPQ and 0.76 for DGRO, indicating DGRO is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
JEPQ is managed by JPMorgan (launched 05/03/2022) with $34.6B in assets. DGRO is managed by BlackRock (launched 06/10/2014) with $38.8B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is JEPQ or DGRO better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. JEPQ currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between JEPQ and DGRO?
JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) tracks NASDAQ 100 with a covered call strategy, while DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) tracks Basket (Growth-focused dividend equity holdings by BlackRock) with a 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. approach. They are issued by JPMorgan and BlackRock respectively.
Can I hold both JEPQ and DGRO?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.
Which has lower fees, JEPQ or DGRO?
JEPQ has an expense ratio of 0.35% while DGRO charges 0.08%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in JEPQ vs DGRO generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in JEPQ would generate roughly $88.17 per month ($1,058.00 annually). The same in DGRO would produce about $16.33 per month ($196.00 annually).
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