ARDGX vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ARDGX (Archer Dividend Growth Fund) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both funds - ARDGX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Archer, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Over the past 5 years, ARDGX returned 8.77%/yr vs 10.72%/yr for DGRO. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARDGX charges 1.22%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

ARDGX vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Archer Dividend Growth Fund (ARDGX) 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, ARDGX achieves a 10.23% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 9.06% return.

ARDGX

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: -0.20%
• YTD: 10.23%
• 6M: 10.93%
• 1Y: 21.93%
• 3Y*: 14.45%
• 5Y*: 8.77%
• 10Y*: —

DGRO

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 2.63%
• YTD: 9.06%
• 6M: 10.08%
• 1Y: 23.65%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

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

ARDGX vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARDGX Archer Dividend Growth Fund	10.23%	12.86%	13.94%	0.40%	0.27%	25.41%	-7.58%	17.89%	-5.91%	8.92%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	9.06%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	22.32%

Correlation

The correlation between ARDGX and DGRO is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.90

The correlation between ARDGX and DGRO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ARDGX vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARDGX

ARDGX Risk / Return Rank: 77
ARDGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
ARDGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
ARDGX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
ARDGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
ARDGX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 76
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

ARDGX vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Archer Dividend Growth Fund (ARDGX) 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.

	ARDGX	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.51	0.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	3.64	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.46	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.19	3.71	+0.48
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.90	14.35	+2.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARDGX vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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

	ARDGX	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.51	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.78	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.08	0.77	-0.69

Drawdowns

ARDGX vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARDGX drawdown since its inception was -76.19%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARDGX and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARDGX	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.19%	-35.10%	-41.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.35%	-6.47%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-76.19%	-14.03%	-62.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-76.19%	-19.31%	-56.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-68.25%	0.00%	-68.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.68%	-3.45%	-11.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.33%	1.67%	-0.34%

Volatility

ARDGX vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Archer Dividend Growth Fund (ARDGX) has a higher volatility of 2.53% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.36%. This indicates that ARDGX'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

	ARDGX	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.53%	2.36%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.46%	6.96%	-0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.87%	9.47%	-0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	130.01%	13.82%	+116.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.63%	16.63%	+79.00%

ARDGX vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARDGX has a 1.22% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARDGX vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

ARDGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.50%, more than DGRO's 1.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARDGX Archer Dividend Growth Fund	2.50%	2.09%	2.74%	2.87%	2.38%	1.93%	3.04%	2.85%	3.07%	2.66%	0.00%	0.00%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.95%	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 ARDGX and DGRO in my portfolio?

ARDGX and DGRO have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARDGX or DGRO?

ARDGX has higher volatility (2.53%) compared to DGRO (2.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARDGX dropped -76.19% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

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