EVF vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

EVF (Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust) is a stock, while DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, EVF returned 5.97%/yr vs 13.64%/yr for DGRO. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

EVF vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (EVF) 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, EVF achieves a -1.66% return, which is significantly lower than DGRO's 9.37% return. Over the past 10 years, EVF has underperformed DGRO with an annualized return of 5.97%, while DGRO has yielded a comparatively higher 13.64% annualized return.

EVF

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: -1.66%
• 6M: -2.40%
• 1Y: -3.68%
• 3Y*: 8.00%
• 5Y*: 3.06%
• 10Y*: 5.97%

DGRO

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 9.37%
• 6M: 8.18%
• 1Y: 21.50%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: 10.89%
• 10Y*: 13.64%

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

EVF vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EVF Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust	-1.66%	-6.15%	7.31%	34.53%	-14.77%	11.80%	6.14%	14.36%	-2.40%	3.08%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	9.37%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between EVF and DGRO is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2014	0.33

The correlation between EVF and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (3 years) to 0.35 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EVF vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

EVF

EVF Risk / Return Rank: 23
EVF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
EVF Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
EVF Omega Ratio Rank: 19
EVF Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
EVF Martin Ratio Rank: 26

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 78
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

EVF vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (EVF) 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.

	EVF	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.50	2.28	-2.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.66	3.32	-3.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.41	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.39	3.34	-3.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.88	12.88	-13.76

EVF vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EVF Sharpe Ratio is -0.50, which is lower than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EVF 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

EVF vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVF drawdown since its inception was -62.41%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVF and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVF	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.41%	-35.10%	-27.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-6.47%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.86%	-14.03%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.76%	-19.31%	-4.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.01%	-35.10%	-5.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.51%	-0.74%	-9.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.34%	-3.43%	-4.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.17%	1.67%	+2.50%

Volatility

EVF vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (EVF) is 1.07%, while iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) has a volatility of 2.48%. This indicates that EVF 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

	EVF	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.07%	2.48%	-1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.32%	6.94%	-0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.40%	9.51%	-2.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.44%	13.79%	-1.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.18%	16.59%	-2.41%

Dividends

EVF vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

EVF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.09%, more than DGRO's 1.96% 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%
EVF Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust	9.09%	9.58%	10.13%	10.51%	9.45%	5.37%	6.16%	6.58%	6.27%	5.57%	6.06%	7.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EVF and DGRO in my portfolio?

EVF and DGRO have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EVF or DGRO?

DGRO has higher volatility (2.48%) compared to EVF (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EVF dropped -62.41% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs -0.50), 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.