ALTL vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALTL (Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ALTL tracks the Lunt Capital US Large Cap Equity Rotation Index while DGRO tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ALTL returned 5.04%/yr vs 10.54%/yr for DGRO. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ALTL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

ALTL vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF (ALTL) 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, ALTL achieves a 16.90% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 8.76% return.

ALTL

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 12.43%
• YTD: 16.90%
• 6M: 16.56%
• 1Y: 44.84%
• 3Y*: 13.86%
• 5Y*: 5.04%
• 10Y*: —

DGRO

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 3.14%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.75%
• 1Y: 22.54%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: 10.54%
• 10Y*: 13.30%

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

ALTL vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ALTL Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF	16.90%	16.61%	12.30%	-15.85%	-10.67%	45.30%	33.74%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.76%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	21.25%

Correlation

The correlation between ALTL and DGRO is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2020	0.75

The correlation between ALTL and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.75 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ALTL vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ALTL	DGRO
Utilities	26.8%	6.9%
Financial Services	16.6%	21.2%
Real Estate	14.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	10.8%	11.5%
Industrials	10.2%	10.8%
Healthcare	6.8%	16.4%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	5.7%
Technology	4.6%	19.4%
Basic Materials	2.0%	2.5%
Energy	0.9%	5.6%
Communication Services	0.8%	0.1%

Return for Risk

ALTL vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ALTL

ALTL Risk / Return Rank: 78
ALTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
ALTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
ALTL Omega Ratio Rank: 74
ALTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
ALTL Martin Ratio Rank: 82

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 71
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 71

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ALTL vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF (ALTL) 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.

	ALTL	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.39	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	3.49	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.43	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.60	3.50	+1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.35	13.52	+2.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALTL vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALTL Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALTL 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ALTL	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.39	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.77	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.76	-0.04

Drawdowns

ALTL vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALTL drawdown since its inception was -31.91%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALTL and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALTL	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.91%	-35.10%	+3.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.79%	-6.47%	-3.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.21%	-14.03%	-7.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.91%	-19.31%	-12.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.28%	-0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.58%	-3.44%	-8.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	1.67%	+1.08%

Volatility

ALTL vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF (ALTL) has a higher volatility of 7.26% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.21%. This indicates that ALTL'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

	ALTL	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.26%	2.21%	+5.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.97%	6.91%	+4.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.05%	9.48%	+8.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.38%	13.82%	+4.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.09%	16.62%	+3.47%

ALTL vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALTL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALTL vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

ALTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than DGRO's 1.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALTL Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF	0.94%	0.95%	1.56%	1.28%	1.23%	1.06%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.96%	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 ALTL and DGRO in my portfolio?

ALTL and DGRO have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALTL or DGRO?

ALTL has higher volatility (7.26%) compared to DGRO (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALTL dropped -31.91% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, ALTL or DGRO?

On 5-year performance, DGRO leads with 10.54% vs 5.04% for ALTL. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ALTL or DGRO?

Over the 5-year period, DGRO has performed better with a 10.54% return vs 5.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ALTL or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for ALTL.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.96%, compared with 0.94% for ALTL.

What is the main difference between ALTL and DGRO?

ALTL tracks Lunt Capital US Large Cap Equity Rotation Index, while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for ALTL and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.39), 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.