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.
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SPY.
Basket (Growth-focused dividend equity holdings by BlackRock)
S&P 500 Index
Objective
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.
Track the S&P 500 Index before expenses.
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
06/10/2014
01/22/1993
Beta
0.68
1.0
Last dividend
$0.3310
$1.9035
Ex-dividend date
06/15/2026
09/18/2026
Bottom lineChoose DGRO if you want higher current income (1.73% vs 1.01% for SPY). Choose SPY if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) and SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
DGRO offers the higher yield at 1.73% vs 1.01% for SPY. 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 0.10%.
They track different benchmarks: DGRO is linked to Basket (Growth-focused dividend equity holdings by BlackRock) while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
SPY is the larger fund by assets ($783B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, DGRO would generate roughly $14.42/month, while SPY would produce $8.42/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
DGRO yield1.73%
SPY yield1.01%
Monthly diff on $10K$6.00
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, DGRO would cost approximately $80 in fees vs $100 for SPY (simplified, not compounded). The $20.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
DGRO ER0.08%
SPY ER0.10%
Strategy & risk
DGRO tracks Basket (Growth-focused dividend equity holdings by BlackRock), while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. Beta is 0.68 for DGRO and 1.0 for SPY, indicating DGRO is less volatile relative to the market.
DGRO beta0.68
SPY beta1.0
Fund details
DGRO is managed by iShares (launched 06/10/2014) with $40.6B in assets. SPY is managed by State Street (launched 01/22/1993) with $783B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is DGRO or SPY 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 SPY?
DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) tracks Basket (Growth-focused dividend equity holdings by BlackRock), while SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) tracks S&P 500 Index with a large cap approach. They are issued by iShares and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both DGRO and SPY?
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.
Which has lower fees, DGRO or SPY?
DGRO has an expense ratio of 0.08% while SPY charges 0.10%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in DGRO vs SPY generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in DGRO would generate roughly $14.42 per month ($173.00 annually). The same in SPY would produce about $8.42 per month ($101.00 annually).
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