GWPCX vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GWPCX (American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, GWPCX returned 12.55%/yr vs 13.30%/yr for DGRO. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GWPCX charges 1.49%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

GWPCX vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C (GWPCX) 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, GWPCX achieves a 10.95% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 8.76% return. Over the past 10 years, GWPCX has underperformed DGRO with an annualized return of 12.55%, while DGRO has yielded a comparatively higher 13.30% annualized return.

GWPCX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 5.55%
• YTD: 10.95%
• 6M: 11.36%
• 1Y: 27.13%
• 3Y*: 21.23%
• 5Y*: 9.83%
• 10Y*: 12.55%

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)

GWPCX vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GWPCX American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C	10.95%	19.58%	19.26%	27.77%	-27.51%	17.70%	24.46%	26.74%	-7.31%	24.19%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.76%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GWPCX and DGRO is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2014	0.82

The correlation between GWPCX and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GWPCX vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GWPCX

GWPCX Risk / Return Rank: 44
GWPCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
GWPCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
GWPCX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
GWPCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
GWPCX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

GWPCX vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C (GWPCX) 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.

	GWPCX	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.39	-0.43
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	3.49	-0.78
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.43	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	3.50	-1.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.33	13.52	-3.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GWPCX vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GWPCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GWPCX 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

	GWPCX	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	2.39	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.77	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.80	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.76	-0.06

Drawdowns

GWPCX vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GWPCX drawdown since its inception was -34.59%, roughly equal to the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GWPCX and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GWPCX	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.59%	-35.10%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.88%	-6.47%	-5.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.49%	-14.03%	-5.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.59%	-19.31%	-15.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.59%	-35.10%	+0.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.28%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.97%	-3.44%	-2.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	1.67%	+1.02%

Volatility

GWPCX vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C (GWPCX) has a higher volatility of 3.84% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.21%. This indicates that GWPCX'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

	GWPCX	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	2.21%	+1.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.21%	6.91%	+4.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.23%	9.48%	+4.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.23%	13.82%	+4.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	16.62%	+1.41%

GWPCX vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GWPCX has a 1.49% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

GWPCX vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

GWPCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.08%, 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%
GWPCX American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C	5.08%	5.63%	5.59%	0.96%	9.93%	3.48%	3.04%	5.54%	5.45%	2.73%	3.67%	4.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GWPCX and DGRO in my portfolio?

GWPCX and DGRO have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GWPCX or DGRO?

GWPCX has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to DGRO (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GWPCX dropped -34.59% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.96), 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.