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ETF Comparison

DGRO vs QQQ: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated September 30, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • DGROInvestors who want higher current income (2.04% vs 0.41% for QQQ).
  • QQQInvestors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

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 lagged QQQ over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.61% total return against 24.14%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: QQQ has compounded at 21.00% a year, against 13.25% for DGRO. DGRO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 11.7% against 20.4% for QQQ. 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.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualized10Y annualizedSince Jun 2014Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
DGRO9.53%13.61%17.92%10.63%13.25%12.06%11.7%1.031.50-14.0%
QQQ21.07%24.14%27.75%16.22%21.00%19.39%20.4%0.991.43-22.8%

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 Jun 2014” measures every fund from June 12, 2014 — 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.
MetricDGROQQQ
Full nameiShares Core Dividend Growth ETFInvesco QQQ Trust
IssueriSharesInvesco
Underlying indexMorningstar US Dividend Growth IndexNasdaq-100 Index
Last Close$75.39 as of September 30, 2026$739.77 as of September 30, 2026
Distribution rate2.04%0.41%
Trailing 12-month yield1.98%0.42%
Distribution Safety Score™ 10097
Safety-Adjusted Yield 2.04%0.40%
Expense ratio0.08%0.18%
AUM$42.5B$501B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveSeeks 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.Track the Nasdaq-100 Index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date06/10/201403/10/1999
Beta0.661.26
Last dividend$0.385$0.75143 declared, pays 10/08/2026
Ex-dividend date09/15/202609/21/2026

Bottom lineChoose DGRO if you want higher current income (2.04% vs 0.41% for QQQ). Choose QQQ if you want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.

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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

iShares
ETFs466
Total AUM$4683B

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.

See all iShares ETFs
Invesco
ETFs246
Total AUM$1013B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Invesco is a major ETF provider known for offering a comprehensive lineup spanning multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company specializes in income-focused products including dividend, covered call, and bond strategies, while also maintaining broad exposure across equity, factor-based, thematic, and ESG investing themes. Invesco's portfolio ranges from index-tracking funds to alternatives and specialized offerings like digital assets and BulletShares, making it one of the more expansive ETF families available to investors.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on QQQ.

See all Invesco ETFs

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Quick verdict

DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

DGRO offers the higher yield at 2.04% vs 0.41% for QQQ. 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 0.18%.

They have different reference exposures: DGRO is linked to Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index while QQQ is linked to Nasdaq-100 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

QQQ is the larger fund by assets ($501B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, DGRO would generate roughly $51.00 cash per distribution, while QQQ would produce $10.25 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

DGRO yield2.04%
QQQ yield0.41%
Cash diff on $10K$40.75

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, DGRO would cost approximately $80 in fees vs $180 for QQQ (simplified, not compounded). The $100.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

DGRO ER0.08%
QQQ ER0.18%

Strategy & risk

DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index, while QQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a growth approach. Beta is 0.66 for DGRO and 1.26 for QQQ, making DGRO the less volatile of the two by this measure.

DGRO beta0.66
QQQ beta1.26

Fund details

DGRO is managed by iShares (launched 06/10/2014) with $42.5B in assets. QQQ is managed by Invesco (launched 03/10/1999) with $501B in assets.

DGRO AUM$42.5B
QQQ AUM$501B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for DGRO and QQQ?

DGRO currently distributes 2.04% and QQQ 0.41%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is DGRO or QQQ better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. DGRO 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 DGRO and QQQ?

DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a growth approach. They are issued by iShares and Invesco respectively.

Can I hold both DGRO and QQQ?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is DGRO or QQQ safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — DGRO scores 100, QQQ scores 97, so DGRO's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. DGRO has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.66 vs 1.26 for QQQ). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, DGRO or QQQ?

DGRO has an expense ratio of 0.08% while QQQ charges 0.18%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in DGRO vs QQQ generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in DGRO would generate roughly $51.00 cash per distribution ($204.00 annually). The same in QQQ would produce about $10.25 cash per distribution ($41.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, DGRO or QQQ?

DGRO has lagged QQQ over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.61% total return against 24.14%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: QQQ has compounded at 21.00% a year, against 13.25% for DGRO. DGRO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 11.7% against 20.4% for QQQ. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

DGRO vs QQQ — at a glance

Generated September 26, 2026.

Overview

DGRO and QQQ are both U.S. equity ETFs, but they target fundamentally different segments of the market. DGRO tracks dividend-growth stocks—companies with consistent payout histories and low yields—using the Morningstar U.S. Dividend Growth Index, while QQQ holds the 100 largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks, including many low-yielding or non-paying tech and growth firms. The choice between them hinges on whether you prioritize income now or growth potential.

How they differ

The core difference is strategy: DGRO screens explicitly for dividend growth and excludes high-yielders, creating a bias toward mature companies with rising payouts; QQQ holds the largest Nasdaq names without regard to dividend history or yield, giving it heavy exposure to high-growth tech. DGRO's 2.04% yield is five times QQQ's 0.41%, and the funds' beta figures—0.66 for DGRO versus 1.26 for QQQ—reflect this: dividend growers tend to be less volatile than the broader Nasdaq. Both distribute quarterly, but DGRO emphasizes income delivery while QQQ is tilted toward capital appreciation.

Who each is best for

  • DGRO: Fits investors seeking regular income from U.S. equities while maintaining exposure to companies with track records of raising dividends, and who prefer lower volatility than the broader growth market.
  • QQQ: Designed for investors wanting concentrated exposure to the largest Nasdaq constituents—primarily tech, communication services, and consumer discretionary—who prioritize growth over dividend income and can accept higher volatility.

Key risks to know

  • Dividend cut or stall. DGRO's screening for dividend growth protects against very high yields, but doesn't prevent companies from cutting or freezing dividends if earnings deteriorate. A broad economic slowdown could pressure dividend growers disproportionately if corporations retrench spending.
  • Concentration in large-cap tech and growth. QQQ's Nasdaq-100 mandate means heavy weighting to a narrow set of mega-cap tech and communication firms; a prolonged pullback in those sectors could significantly underperform the broader market. DGRO's dividend-growth filter provides inherently wider exposure, though its holdings may overlap considerably with QQQ's core positions.
  • Valuation and rate sensitivity. Both funds hold growth-oriented equities sensitive to interest rates, but QQQ is particularly exposed: low-yielding tech stocks trade on future earnings and are hurt when bond yields rise. DGRO's higher current yield offers some cushion, though dividend growers still carry rate risk.
  • Beta asymmetry in downturns. DGRO's lower reported beta of 0.66 does not guarantee downside protection; beta is measured over historical periods and may not hold during market stress when correlations rise.

Bottom line

If current income from a diversified dividend-paying portfolio is the priority, DGRO stands out; if you're focused on growth and can tolerate higher volatility concentrated in large-cap tech, QQQ's broader Nasdaq exposure fits that mandate. The trade-off is simple: yield and stability versus growth potential and concentration. Past performance of either fund does not predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

Dividend growth vs. high yield Yield on cost, explained How expense ratios eat returns

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.