AVUQ vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AVUQ (Avantis U.S. Quality ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. AVUQ is actively managed, while DGRO is passively managed. Over the past year, AVUQ returned 27.89% vs 22.81% for DGRO. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AVUQ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

AVUQ vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with AVUQ having a 9.29% return and DGRO slightly lower at 8.84%.

AVUQ

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: -0.51%
• YTD: 9.29%
• 6M: 8.58%
• 1Y: 27.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DGRO

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 8.84%
• 6M: 8.25%
• 1Y: 22.81%
• 3Y*: 16.80%
• 5Y*: 11.08%
• 10Y*: 13.58%

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

AVUQ vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	9.29%	21.84%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.84%	14.02%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUQ and DGRO is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.59

The correlation between AVUQ and DGRO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUQ vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUQ	DGRO
Technology	48.7%	22.0%
Consumer Cyclical	14.2%	5.4%
Communication Services	11.8%	0.1%
Industrials	7.6%	10.4%
Financial Services	5.4%	20.6%
Healthcare	5.4%	16.5%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	11.1%
Energy	2.2%	5.1%
Basic Materials	1.2%	2.4%
Utilities	0.7%	6.4%
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

AVUQ vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUQ

AVUQ Risk / Return Rank: 51
AVUQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
AVUQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
AVUQ Omega Ratio Rank: 49
AVUQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
AVUQ Martin Ratio Rank: 55

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 77
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 77
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
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.

AVUQ vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) 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.

	AVUQ	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	2.40	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	3.49	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.43	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	3.54	-1.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.29	13.67	-4.38

AVUQ vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUQ 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

AVUQ vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUQ drawdown since its inception was -12.35%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUQ and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUQ	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.35%	-35.10%	+22.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.61%	-6.47%	-5.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.03%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.31%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.70%	-1.21%	-1.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.16%	-3.43%	+1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	1.67%	+1.34%

Volatility

AVUQ vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) has a higher volatility of 5.71% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.64%. This indicates that AVUQ'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

	AVUQ	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.71%	2.64%	+3.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.51%	6.94%	+5.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.06%	9.55%	+6.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.63%	13.80%	+5.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.63%	16.63%	+3.00%

AVUQ vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUQ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AVUQ vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

AVUQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than DGRO's 1.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	0.45%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.97%	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 AVUQ and DGRO in my portfolio?

AVUQ and DGRO have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVUQ or DGRO?

AVUQ has higher volatility (5.71%) compared to DGRO (2.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUQ dropped -12.35% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, AVUQ or DGRO?

On 1-year performance, AVUQ leads with 27.89% vs 22.81% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUQ or DGRO?

Over the 1-year period, AVUQ has performed better with a 27.89% return vs 22.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUQ or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AVUQ.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.97%, compared with 0.45% for AVUQ.

What is the main difference between AVUQ and DGRO?

They also come from different issuers: Avantis and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVUQ and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.75), 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.