DGRO vs. GQGU

Last updated Apr 3, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU).

DGRO and GQGU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DGRO is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. It was launched on Jun 10, 2014. GQGU is an actively managed fund by GQG Partners. It was launched on Jul 14, 2025.

Performance

DGRO vs. GQGU - Performance Comparison

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

DGRO vs. GQGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.76%	8.31%
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	8.19%	-1.14%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGRO achieves a 1.76% return, which is significantly lower than GQGU's 8.19% return.

DGRO

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -3.33%
• YTD: 1.76%
• 6M: 4.21%
• 1Y: 15.91%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: 10.17%
• 10Y*: 12.88%

GQGU

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: -3.10%
• YTD: 8.19%
• 6M: 6.64%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DGRO vs. GQGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGRO has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than GQGU's 0.49% expense ratio.

GQGU

GQG US Equity ETF

DGRO

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF

Return for Risk

DGRO vs. GQGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 58
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

DGRO vs. GQGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU). 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.

	DGRO	GQGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.61	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.97	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DGRO	GQGU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.11	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	1.02	-0.29

Correlation

The correlation between DGRO and GQGU is 0.40, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

DGRO vs. GQGU - Dividend Comparison

DGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.09%, more than GQGU's 0.94% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	2.09%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	0.94%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

DGRO vs. GQGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGRO drawdown since its inception was -35.10%, which is greater than GQGU's maximum drawdown of -6.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGRO and GQGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGRO	GQGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.10%	-6.65%	-28.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.50%	—	—
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	-4.55%	-3.24%	-1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.48%	-2.21%	-1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.39%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DGRO	GQGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.20%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.47%	9.66%	+4.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.83%	9.66%	+4.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.62%	9.66%	+6.96%