GQQQ vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GQQQ (Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past year, GQQQ returned 40.82% vs 22.54% for DGRO. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GQQQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

GQQQ vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF (GQQQ) 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, GQQQ achieves a 21.53% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 8.76% return.

GQQQ

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 8.79%
• YTD: 21.53%
• 6M: 20.71%
• 1Y: 40.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DGRO

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 3.14%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.75%
• 1Y: 22.54%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: 10.54%
• 10Y*: 13.30%

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

GQQQ vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GQQQ Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF	21.53%	17.37%	2.66%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.76%	15.69%	-1.27%

Correlation

The correlation between GQQQ and DGRO is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2024	0.61

The correlation between GQQQ and DGRO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GQQQ vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GQQQ

GQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 79
GQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
GQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
GQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 77
GQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
GQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 83

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 71
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

GQQQ vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF (GQQQ) 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.

	GQQQ	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.39	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.49	-0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.43	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.72	3.50	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.65	13.52	+3.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GQQQ vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GQQQ 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

	GQQQ	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	2.39	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.28	0.76	+0.52

Drawdowns

GQQQ vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GQQQ drawdown since its inception was -22.36%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQQQ and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GQQQ	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.36%	-35.10%	+12.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.02%	-6.47%	-4.55%
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	-0.15%	-0.28%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.11%	-3.44%	+0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.46%	1.67%	+0.79%

Volatility

GQQQ vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF (GQQQ) has a higher volatility of 4.63% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.21%. This indicates that GQQQ'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

	GQQQ	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.63%	2.21%	+2.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.44%	6.91%	+5.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.65%	9.48%	+6.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.22%	13.82%	+6.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.22%	16.62%	+3.60%

GQQQ vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GQQQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

GQQQ vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

GQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, less 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%
GQQQ Astoria US Quality Growth Kings ETF	0.40%	0.46%	0.11%	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 GQQQ and DGRO in my portfolio?

GQQQ and DGRO have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GQQQ or DGRO?

GQQQ has higher volatility (4.63%) compared to DGRO (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQQQ dropped -22.36% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, GQQQ or DGRO?

On 1-year performance, GQQQ leads with 40.82% vs 22.54% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GQQQ or DGRO?

Over the 1-year period, GQQQ has performed better with a 40.82% return vs 22.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GQQQ or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for GQQQ.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.96%, compared with 0.40% for GQQQ.

What is the main difference between GQQQ and DGRO?

They also come from different issuers: Astoria and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for GQQQ and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 2.39), 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.