DV
Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

DGRO vs VTV: Dividend Growth or Large-Cap Value?

DGRO selects U.S. stocks through a dividend-growth index. VTV tracks a U.S. large-cap value benchmark. Dividend history and value classification are different selection criteria; the resulting portfolios can overlap without having the same weights, sector exposure, or future returns.

Updated October 8, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • DGROInvestors who want a dividend-growth selection rule.
  • VTVInvestors who want broad large-cap value exposure without a dividend-growth requirement.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

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 Β· 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 VTV over the trailing twelve months, posting a 15.15% total return against 20.33%. The picture flips over 10 years, though β€” DGRO has compounded at 13.49% a year, ahead of VTV at 12.53%. 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
DGRO12.29%15.15%18.68%11.01%13.49%12.27%11.7%1.081.58-14.0%
VTV16.14%20.33%19.79%12.29%12.53%11.34%12.2%1.121.62-14.5%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 9, 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. β€œSince Jun 2014” measures every fund from June 12, 2014 β€” the start of shared available history β€” 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) β€” higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window β€” shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricDGROVTV
Full nameiShares Core Dividend Growth ETFVanguard Morningstar Value ETF
IssueriSharesVanguard
Underlying indexMorningstar US Dividend Growth IndexMorningstar US Large Cap Value Index
Last Close$76.88 as of October 8, 2026$219.63 as of October 8, 2026
Distribution rate2.00%1.85%
Trailing 12-month yield1.94%1.90%
Distribution Safety Scoreβ„’ 10097
Safety-Adjusted Yield 2.00%1.79%
Expense ratio0.08%0.03%
AUM$42.2B$185B
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.Seeks to track the Morningstar US Large Cap Value Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date06/10/201401/26/2004
Beta0.660.68
Last dividend$0.385$1.017
Ex-dividend date09/15/202609/28/2026

Bottom lineChoose DGRO if you want a dividend-growth selection rule. Choose VTV if you want broad large-cap value exposure without a dividend-growth requirement. Compare current holdings, concentration, valuation, and net total returns over matching dates. Historical beta does not predict a particular future loss, and a dividend history does not guarantee future payments.

Dividend-growth criteria versus value classification

DGRO selects U.S. stocks through a dividend-growth index. VTV tracks a U.S. large-cap value benchmark. Dividend history and value classification are different selection criteria; the resulting portfolios can overlap without having the same weights, sector exposure, or future returns.

DGROVTV
ApproachU.S. dividend-growth indexU.S. large-cap value index
Risk reviewDividend cuts, stock/sector concentration, and equity lossesValue-style, stock/sector concentration, and equity losses
Expense ratio0.08%0.03%
Portfolio fitReview combined holdings and weightsReview combined holdings and weights

Income calculator

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

ETFs467
Total AUM$4679B

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

iShares, operated by BlackRock, is one of the largest and most established ETF providers globally, known for offering broad, liquid index-tracking funds across nearly all asset classes and investment styles. The lineup encompasses a comprehensive range of strategies including core equity and bond exposure, dividend and income-focused funds, covered call strategies, ESG and thematic investments, factor-based approaches, alternatives, commodities, and municipal bonds, serving both individual and institutional investors. With numerous popular ticker symbols and extensive diversification across geographies, sectors, and investment objectives, iShares provides one of the market's widest selections of ETFs for building diversified portfolios.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on DGRO.

ETFs116
Total AUM$4668B

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

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VTV.

Want to go deeper?

Add these ETFs to a sample portfolio and forecast your dividend income over 5+ years β€” free to start, no credit card.

Quick verdict

DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) and VTV (Vanguard Morningstar Value ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

DGRO offers the higher yield at 2.00% vs 1.85% for VTV. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VTV is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.08%.

They have different reference exposures: DGRO is linked to Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index while VTV is linked to Morningstar US Large Cap Value Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VTV is the larger fund by assets ($185B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, DGRO would generate roughly $50.00 cash per distribution, while VTV would produce $46.25 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

DGRO yield2.00%
VTV yield1.85%
Cash diff on $10K$3.75

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, DGRO would cost approximately $80 in fees vs $30 for VTV (simplified, not compounded). The $50.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

DGRO ER0.08%
VTV ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

DGRO selects U.S. stocks through a dividend-growth index. VTV tracks a U.S. large-cap value benchmark. Dividend history and value classification are different selection criteria; the resulting portfolios can overlap without having the same weights, sector exposure, or future returns. Beta describes historical benchmark sensitivity, not guaranteed downside protection.

DGRO beta0.66
VTV beta0.68

Fund details

DGRO is managed by iShares (launched 06/10/2014) with $42.2B in assets. VTV is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $185B in assets.

DGRO AUM$42.2B
VTV AUM$185B

Enjoyed this page?

Do us a favor β€” if you found this comparison useful, please share it with a friend researching dividend ETFs.

Frequently asked questions

Does similar beta make DGRO and VTV interchangeable?

No. Beta measures historical sensitivity to a benchmark, not total volatility or identical holdings. Compare company and sector weights, valuation, and dividend criteria. Neither a dividend-growth screen nor a value classification guarantees income growth or protection in a downturn.

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.

More comparisons to explore

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

Still deciding? Compare them against your own portfolio

See how each ETF fits alongside your real holdings β€” forecast future income, analyze overlap, and gauge risk. Start a free 7-day Dividend Vision trial and make the call with your full portfolio in view.

These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.