DGRW vs. ILCG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DGRW (WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund) and ILCG (iShares Morningstar Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGRW is a Dividend fund tracking the WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index, while ILCG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGRW returned 14.15%/yr vs 18.15%/yr for ILCG. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DGRW charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for ILCG.

Performance

DGRW vs. ILCG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGRW achieves a 9.10% return, which is significantly lower than ILCG's 14.48% return. Over the past 10 years, DGRW has underperformed ILCG with an annualized return of 14.15%, while ILCG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.15% annualized return.

DGRW

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 4.06%
• YTD: 9.10%
• 6M: 8.62%
• 1Y: 20.79%
• 3Y*: 16.64%
• 5Y*: 12.17%
• 10Y*: 14.15%

ILCG

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: 7.68%
• YTD: 14.48%
• 6M: 14.61%
• 1Y: 29.51%
• 3Y*: 26.55%
• 5Y*: 14.95%
• 10Y*: 18.15%

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

DGRW vs. ILCG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DGRW WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund	9.10%	12.17%	16.98%	18.66%	-6.33%	24.46%	13.87%	29.54%	-5.38%	26.90%
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	14.48%	16.71%	32.82%	40.41%	-31.75%	24.33%	38.56%	33.22%	2.06%	30.57%

Correlation

The correlation between DGRW and ILCG is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2013	0.83

The correlation between DGRW and ILCG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

DGRW vs. ILCG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DGRW	ILCG
Technology	32.1%	49.8%
Healthcare	12.8%	5.3%
Financial Services	11.3%	6.0%
Communication Services	10.1%	14.5%
Industrials	9.9%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.1%	10.6%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	1.6%
Energy	5.0%	0.5%
Basic Materials	3.3%	1.1%
Utilities	0.2%	0.8%
Real Estate	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

DGRW vs. ILCG — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGRW

DGRW Risk / Return Rank: 60
DGRW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
DGRW Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
DGRW Omega Ratio Rank: 63
DGRW Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
DGRW Martin Ratio Rank: 61

ILCG

ILCG Risk / Return Rank: 46
ILCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
ILCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
ILCG Omega Ratio Rank: 50
ILCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
ILCG Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

DGRW vs. ILCG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW) and iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG). 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.

	DGRW	ILCG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	1.82	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	2.45	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.32	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	1.89	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.03	6.68	+4.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DGRW vs. ILCG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGRW Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the ILCG Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGRW and ILCG, 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

	DGRW	ILCG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12	1.82	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88	0.68	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.85	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.59	+0.27

Drawdowns

DGRW vs. ILCG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGRW drawdown since its inception was -32.04%, smaller than the maximum ILCG drawdown of -52.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGRW and ILCG.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGRW	ILCG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.04%	-52.98%	+20.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.30%	-15.65%	+7.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.21%	-23.10%	+6.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.27%	-35.38%	+18.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.04%	-35.38%	+3.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-1.02%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.01%	-8.22%	+5.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	4.43%	-2.54%

Volatility

DGRW vs. ILCG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW) is 2.47%, while iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) has a volatility of 4.40%. This indicates that DGRW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ILCG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGRW	ILCG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	4.40%	-1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.64%	12.81%	-5.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.88%	16.31%	-6.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.97%	22.00%	-8.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.21%	21.53%	-5.32%

DGRW vs. ILCG - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGRW has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than ILCG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGRW vs. ILCG - Dividend Comparison

DGRW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, more than ILCG's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRW WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund	1.27%	1.43%	1.55%	1.74%	2.15%	1.78%	1.93%	2.20%	2.42%	1.71%	2.13%	2.18%
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	0.40%	0.47%	0.50%	0.69%	0.75%	0.34%	0.28%	0.54%	0.81%	0.89%	0.95%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGRW and ILCG in my portfolio?

DGRW and ILCG have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DGRW or ILCG?

ILCG has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to DGRW (2.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGRW dropped -32.04% vs ILCG's -52.98%.

Which ETF is better, DGRW or ILCG?

On 10-year performance, ILCG leads with 18.15% vs 14.15% for DGRW. On fees, ILCG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, DGRW has been the lower-risk option at 2.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DGRW or ILCG?

Over the 10-year period, ILCG has performed better with a 18.15% return vs 14.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DGRW or ILCG?

ILCG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for DGRW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DGRW or ILCG?

DGRW has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.40% for ILCG.

What is the main difference between DGRW and ILCG?

DGRW is categorized as Dividend, while ILCG is Large Cap Growth Equities. DGRW tracks WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index, while ILCG tracks Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for DGRW and 0.04% for ILCG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.82), 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.