DMAX vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DMAX is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DMAX returned 8.68% vs 23.65% for DGRO. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DMAX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

DMAX vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DMAX achieves a 2.42% return, which is significantly lower than DGRO's 9.06% return.

DMAX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 2.42%
• 6M: 3.14%
• 1Y: 8.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DGRO

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 2.63%
• YTD: 9.06%
• 6M: 10.08%
• 1Y: 23.65%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

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

DMAX vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	2.42%	7.81%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	9.06%	16.11%

Correlation

The correlation between DMAX and DGRO is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.66

The correlation between DMAX and DGRO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DMAX vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

DMAX

DMAX Risk / Return Rank: 95
DMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 76
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
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.

DMAX vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) 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.

	DMAX	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.74	2.51	+1.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.80	3.64	+2.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.81	1.46	+0.36
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.15	3.71	+2.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	31.49	14.35	+17.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DMAX vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DMAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.74, which is higher than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DMAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DMAX	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.74	2.51	+1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.78	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.16	0.77	+1.39

Drawdowns

DMAX vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DMAX drawdown since its inception was -3.37%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DMAX and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	DMAX	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.37%	-35.10%	+31.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.41%	-6.47%	+5.06%
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.38%	-3.45%	+3.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	1.67%	-1.39%

Volatility

DMAX vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF (DMAX) is 0.33%, while iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) has a volatility of 2.36%. This indicates that DMAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DGRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DMAX	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.33%	2.36%	-2.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.54%	6.96%	-5.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33%	9.47%	-7.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.40%	13.82%	-10.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.40%	16.63%	-13.23%

DMAX vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

DMAX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

DMAX vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

DMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, less than DGRO's 1.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.95%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
DMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer December ETF	1.15%	1.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DMAX and DGRO in my portfolio?

DMAX and DGRO have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DMAX or DGRO?

DGRO has higher volatility (2.36%) compared to DMAX (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DMAX dropped -3.37% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, DMAX or DGRO?

On 1-year performance, DGRO leads with 23.65% vs 8.68% for DMAX. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DMAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DMAX or DGRO?

Over the 1-year period, DGRO has performed better with a 23.65% return vs 8.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DMAX or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for DMAX.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.95%, compared with 1.15% for DMAX.

What is the main difference between DMAX and DGRO?

DMAX is categorized as Defined Outcome, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. DMAX tracks S&P 500 Index, while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for DMAX and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.74 vs 2.51), 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.