DGRO vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGRO returned 13.52%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for XLU. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.08% expense ratio.

Performance

DGRO vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGRO achieves a 9.86% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, DGRO has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 13.52%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.20% annualized return.

DGRO

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 3.74%
• YTD: 9.86%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 22.26%
• 3Y*: 16.74%
• 5Y*: 10.82%
• 10Y*: 13.52%

XLU

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: -0.31%
• YTD: 5.04%
• 6M: 5.48%
• 1Y: 11.85%
• 3Y*: 13.79%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 9.20%

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

DGRO vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	9.86%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	5.04%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between DGRO and XLU is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2014	0.48

The correlation between DGRO and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (1 year) to 0.55 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DGRO vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DGRO	XLU
Financial Services	21.2%	-
Technology	19.4%	-
Healthcare	16.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	11.5%	-
Industrials	10.8%	-
Utilities	6.9%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	-
Energy	5.6%	-
Basic Materials	2.5%	-
Communication Services	0.1%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

DGRO vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 82
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 82
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 79

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 26
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

	DGRO	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	0.81	+1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	1.18	+2.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.15	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.46	1.30	+2.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.36	2.80	+10.57

DGRO vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGRO Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGRO and XLU, 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

DGRO vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGRO drawdown since its inception was -35.10%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGRO and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGRO	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.10%	-51.98%	+16.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.47%	-9.18%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.03%	-17.26%	+3.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.31%	-25.26%	+5.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.10%	-36.07%	+0.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-6.05%	+6.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.44%	-10.22%	+6.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.68%	4.25%	-2.57%

Volatility

DGRO vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) is 2.64%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.59%. This indicates that DGRO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGRO	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.64%	5.59%	-2.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.96%	11.68%	-4.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.59%	14.66%	-5.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.83%	17.34%	-3.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.62%	19.27%	-2.65%

DGRO vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DGRO and XLU have an expense ratio of 0.08%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DGRO vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

DGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%, less than XLU's 2.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.94%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.67%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGRO and XLU in my portfolio?

DGRO and XLU have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DGRO or XLU?

XLU has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to DGRO (2.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGRO dropped -35.10% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, DGRO or XLU?

On 10-year performance, DGRO leads with 13.52% vs 9.20% for XLU. Both ETFs have the same 0.08% expense ratio. 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, DGRO or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, DGRO has performed better with a 13.52% return vs 9.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DGRO or XLU?

DGRO and XLU have the same expense ratio: 0.08% per year.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 1.94% for DGRO.

What is the main difference between DGRO and XLU?

DGRO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while XLU is Utilities Equities. DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 0.81), 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.