DGRO vs. PFM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) and PFM (Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - DGRO tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index while PFM tracks the NASDAQ US Broad Dividend Achievers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGRO returned 13.30%/yr vs 11.82%/yr for PFM. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DGRO charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for PFM.

Performance

DGRO vs. PFM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGRO achieves a 8.76% return, which is significantly higher than PFM's 8.18% return. Over the past 10 years, DGRO has outperformed PFM with an annualized return of 13.30%, while PFM has yielded a comparatively lower 11.82% annualized return.

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%

PFM

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 8.18%
• 6M: 7.73%
• 1Y: 19.65%
• 3Y*: 16.31%
• 5Y*: 10.63%
• 10Y*: 11.82%

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

DGRO vs. PFM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.76%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%
PFM Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF	8.18%	14.00%	16.87%	11.40%	-6.22%	23.08%	9.53%	26.88%	-4.58%	17.65%

Correlation

The correlation between DGRO and PFM is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2014	0.95

The correlation between DGRO and PFM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

DGRO vs. PFM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DGRO	PFM
Financial Services	21.2%	18.5%
Technology	19.4%	24.7%
Healthcare	16.4%	14.9%
Consumer Defensive	11.5%	12.0%
Industrials	10.8%	11.1%
Utilities	6.9%	4.2%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	4.0%
Energy	5.6%	4.7%
Basic Materials	2.5%	3.0%
Communication Services	0.1%	1.1%
Real Estate	-	2.0%

Return for Risk

DGRO vs. PFM — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

PFM

PFM Risk / Return Rank: 62
PFM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
PFM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
PFM Omega Ratio Rank: 61
PFM Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PFM Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. PFM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) and Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF (PFM). 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	PFM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	2.09	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	3.07	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.38	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.50	2.78	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.52	11.28	+2.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DGRO vs. PFM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGRO Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the PFM Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGRO and PFM, 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

	DGRO	PFM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	2.09	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.79	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.78	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.53	+0.24

Drawdowns

DGRO vs. PFM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGRO drawdown since its inception was -35.10%, smaller than the maximum PFM drawdown of -53.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGRO and PFM.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGRO	PFM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.10%	-53.21%	+18.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.47%	-7.09%	+0.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.03%	-14.50%	+0.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.31%	-17.81%	-1.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.10%	-32.22%	-2.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-0.23%	-0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.44%	-6.94%	+3.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.67%	1.75%	-0.08%

Volatility

DGRO vs. PFM - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) has a higher volatility of 2.21% compared to Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF (PFM) at 2.04%. This indicates that DGRO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGRO	PFM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.21%	2.04%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.91%	7.13%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.48%	9.47%	+0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.82%	13.54%	+0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.62%	15.21%	+1.41%

DGRO vs. PFM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGRO has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than PFM's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGRO vs. PFM - Dividend Comparison

DGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.96%, more than PFM's 1.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
PFM Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF	1.33%	1.41%	1.58%	1.86%	1.95%	1.69%	1.92%	1.94%	2.27%	1.70%	2.56%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGRO and PFM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, DGRO and PFM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DGRO or PFM?

DGRO has higher volatility (2.21%) compared to PFM (2.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGRO dropped -35.10% vs PFM's -53.21%.

Which ETF is better, DGRO or PFM?

On 10-year performance, DGRO leads with 13.30% vs 11.82% for PFM. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, PFM has been the lower-risk option at 2.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DGRO or PFM?

Over the 10-year period, DGRO has performed better with a 13.30% return vs 11.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DGRO or PFM?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for PFM.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.96%, compared with 1.33% for PFM.

What is the main difference between DGRO and PFM?

DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index, while PFM tracks NASDAQ US Broad Dividend Achievers Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for DGRO and 0.53% for PFM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.09), 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.