DSI vs. DGRO

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DSI (iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DSI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DSI returned 15.02%/yr vs 13.38%/yr for DGRO. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DSI charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

DSI vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF (DSI) 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, DSI achieves a 12.46% return, which is significantly lower than DGRO's 13.79% return. Over the past 10 years, DSI has outperformed DGRO with an annualized return of 15.02%, while DGRO has yielded a comparatively lower 13.38% annualized return.

DSI

• 1D: 1.97%
• 1M: 2.00%
• 6M: 10.56%
• YTD: 12.46%
• 1Y: 23.30%
• 3Y*: 20.53%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: 15.02%
• ALL TIME*: 10.75%

DGRO

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 1.32%
• 6M: 9.21%
• YTD: 13.79%
• 1Y: 24.64%
• 3Y*: 17.09%
• 5Y*: 11.15%
• 10Y*: 13.38%
• ALL TIME*: 12.49%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	$107.57M	$103.25M	$110.55M
DSI iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF	$16.78M	$14.31M	$16.21M

DSI vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DSI iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF	12.46%	18.03%	22.38%	28.51%	-21.71%	31.32%	20.94%	31.15%	-3.90%	20.89%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	13.79%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between DSI and DGRO is 0.50, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2014	0.85

Over the past year, the correlation between DSI and DGRO has dropped to 0.50 - well below their long-term average of 0.85, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DSI vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DSI	DGRO
Technology	42.1%	17.3%
Communication Services	12.1%	0.1%
Financial Services	10.4%	20.4%
Industrials	8.8%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	6.5%
Healthcare	7.4%	17.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	11.9%
Real Estate	2.6%	-
Basic Materials	2.2%	2.5%
Energy	1.5%	4.8%
Utilities	0.9%	7.3%

Return for Risk

DSI vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DSI

DSI Risk / Return Rank: 65
DSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
DSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
DSI Omega Ratio Rank: 66
DSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
DSI Martin Ratio Rank: 66

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 92
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DSI vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF (DSI) 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.

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.

	DSI	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	2.60	-0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	3.77	-1.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.48	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	3.83	-1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.22	14.91	-6.69

DSI vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSI Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is lower than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSI 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.

Drawdowns

DSI vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSI drawdown since its inception was -54.23%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSI and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSI	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.23%	-35.10%	-19.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.05%	-6.47%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.58%	-14.03%	-6.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.36%	-19.31%	-9.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.10%	-35.10%	+1.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.01%	+1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.48%	-3.41%	-4.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	1.66%	+1.18%

Volatility

DSI vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF (DSI) has a higher volatility of 4.96% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.88%. This indicates that DSI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSI	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.96%	2.88%	+2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.78%	7.12%	+4.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	9.54%	+4.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.14%	13.79%	+4.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.75%	16.58%	+2.17%

DSI vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSI has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DSI vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

DSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, less than DGRO's 1.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.89%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
DSI iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF	0.86%	0.92%	1.03%	1.19%	1.39%	0.99%	1.22%	1.40%	1.63%	1.28%	1.51%	1.46%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSI and DGRO in my portfolio?

DSI and DGRO have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DSI or DGRO?

DSI has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to DGRO (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSI dropped -54.23% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, DSI or DGRO?

On 10-year performance, DSI leads with 15.02% vs 13.38% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DSI or DGRO?

Over the 10-year period, DSI has performed better with a 15.02% return vs 13.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DSI or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for DSI.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.89%, compared with 0.86% for DSI.

What is the main difference between DSI and DGRO?

DSI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. DSI tracks MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for DSI and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.62), 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.