AESR vs. DGRO

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

AESR (Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. AESR is actively managed, while DGRO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AESR returned 13.83%/yr vs 11.29%/yr for DGRO. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AESR charges 1.46%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

AESR vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF (AESR) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AESR achieves a 18.80% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 15.02% return.

AESR

• 1D: 2.81%
• 1M: 0.70%
• 6M: 14.69%
• YTD: 18.80%
• 1Y: 28.16%
• 3Y*: 24.52%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.16%

DGRO

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: 2.42%
• 6M: 10.12%
• YTD: 15.02%
• 1Y: 24.63%
• 3Y*: 17.52%
• 5Y*: 11.29%
• 10Y*: 13.50%
• ALL TIME*: 12.59%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AESR Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF	$661.39K	$632.83K	$1.86M
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	$108.47M	$103.38M	$110.52M

AESR vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AESR Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF	18.80%	20.34%	25.37%	21.03%	-17.52%	25.26%	19.58%	0.76%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	15.02%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	0.72%

Correlation

The correlation between AESR and DGRO is 0.47, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2019	0.76

Over the past year, the correlation between AESR and DGRO has dropped to 0.47 - well below their long-term average of 0.76, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

AESR vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AESR	DGRO
Technology	41.7%	17.3%
Communication Services	23.1%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	6.5%
Industrials	9.1%	11.3%
Financial Services	6.5%	20.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	11.9%
Healthcare	2.0%	17.9%
Energy	1.3%	4.8%
Basic Materials	1.1%	2.5%
Utilities	0.3%	7.3%
Real Estate	0.3%	-

Return for Risk

AESR vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AESR

AESR Risk / Return Rank: 60
AESR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
AESR Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
AESR Omega Ratio Rank: 51
AESR Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
AESR Martin Ratio Rank: 71

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 91
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AESR vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF (AESR) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AESR	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	2.60	-1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	3.77	-1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.48	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	3.83	-0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.88	14.91	-5.02

AESR vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AESR Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is lower than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AESR and DGRO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AESR vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AESR drawdown since its inception was -31.06%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AESR and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	AESR	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.06%	-35.10%	+4.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.82%	-6.47%	-3.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.85%	-14.03%	-5.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.04%	-19.31%	-5.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.22%	0.00%	-3.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.95%	-3.40%	-2.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	1.66%	+1.20%

Volatility

AESR vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF (AESR) has a higher volatility of 6.68% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 3.05%. This indicates that AESR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AESR	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.68%	3.05%	+3.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.54%	7.16%	+9.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.45%	9.58%	+9.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.46%	13.80%	+4.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.67%	16.59%	+4.08%

AESR vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

AESR has a 1.46% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

AESR vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

AESR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.37%, more than DGRO's 1.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AESR Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF	19.37%	23.02%	0.17%	0.33%	0.73%	6.59%	1.06%	0.33%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.87%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AESR and DGRO in my portfolio?

AESR and DGRO have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AESR or DGRO?

AESR has higher volatility (6.68%) compared to DGRO (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AESR dropped -31.06% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, AESR or DGRO?

On 5-year performance, AESR leads with 13.83% vs 11.29% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 3.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AESR or DGRO?

Over the 5-year period, AESR has performed better with a 13.83% return vs 11.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AESR or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 1.46% for AESR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AESR or DGRO?

AESR has the higher dividend yield at 19.37%, compared with 1.87% for DGRO.

What is the main difference between AESR and DGRO?

They also come from different issuers: Regents Park and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.46% for AESR and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.46), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.