ILCG vs. DLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILCG (iShares Morningstar Growth ETF) and DLN (WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ILCG tracks the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross while DLN tracks the WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ILCG returned 18.15%/yr vs 12.68%/yr for DLN. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ILCG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for DLN.

Performance

ILCG vs. DLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) and WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILCG achieves a 14.48% return, which is significantly higher than DLN's 9.93% return. Over the past 10 years, ILCG has outperformed DLN with an annualized return of 18.15%, while DLN has yielded a comparatively lower 12.68% annualized return.

ILCG

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: 7.68%
• YTD: 14.48%
• 6M: 14.61%
• 1Y: 29.51%
• 3Y*: 26.55%
• 5Y*: 14.95%
• 10Y*: 18.15%

DLN

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 2.93%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 9.96%
• 1Y: 22.38%
• 3Y*: 18.35%
• 5Y*: 12.22%
• 10Y*: 12.68%

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

ILCG vs. DLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	14.48%	16.71%	32.82%	40.41%	-31.75%	24.33%	38.56%	33.22%	2.06%	30.57%
DLN WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF	9.93%	15.53%	19.66%	9.95%	-3.78%	25.60%	4.59%	28.91%	-5.82%	18.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ILCG and DLN is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2006	0.79

Over the past year, the correlation between ILCG and DLN has dropped to 0.57 - well below their long-term average of 0.79, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ILCG vs. DLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILCG	DLN
Technology	49.8%	20.1%
Communication Services	14.5%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	5.0%
Industrials	8.3%	7.9%
Financial Services	6.0%	18.0%
Healthcare	5.3%	12.6%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	9.3%
Real Estate	1.4%	4.0%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.0%
Utilities	0.8%	5.9%
Energy	0.5%	8.5%

Return for Risk

ILCG vs. DLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILCG

ILCG Risk / Return Rank: 46
ILCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
ILCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
ILCG Omega Ratio Rank: 50
ILCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
ILCG Martin Ratio Rank: 41

DLN

DLN Risk / Return Rank: 77
DLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DLN Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DLN Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

ILCG vs. DLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) and WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN). 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.

	ILCG	DLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	2.53	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	3.64	-1.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.46	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	3.69	-1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.68	15.59	-8.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILCG vs. DLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILCG Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the DLN Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILCG and DLN, 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

	ILCG	DLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	2.53	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.93	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.79	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.53	+0.06

Drawdowns

ILCG vs. DLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILCG drawdown since its inception was -52.98%, smaller than the maximum DLN drawdown of -57.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILCG and DLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILCG	DLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.98%	-57.84%	+4.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-6.10%	-9.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.10%	-13.71%	-9.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.38%	-16.26%	-19.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	-35.82%	+0.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.02%	-0.51%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.22%	-7.52%	-0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.43%	1.44%	+2.99%

Volatility

ILCG vs. DLN - Volatility Comparison

iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) has a higher volatility of 4.40% compared to WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) at 2.17%. This indicates that ILCG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILCG	DLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	2.17%	+2.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.81%	6.77%	+6.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.31%	8.87%	+7.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.00%	13.26%	+8.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.53%	16.16%	+5.37%

ILCG vs. DLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILCG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DLN's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILCG vs. DLN - Dividend Comparison

ILCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, less than DLN's 1.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DLN WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF	1.79%	1.90%	2.00%	2.43%	2.53%	2.01%	2.66%	2.51%	2.90%	2.33%	2.64%	2.80%
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	0.40%	0.47%	0.50%	0.69%	0.75%	0.34%	0.28%	0.54%	0.81%	0.89%	0.95%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILCG and DLN in my portfolio?

ILCG and DLN have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILCG or DLN?

ILCG has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to DLN (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILCG dropped -52.98% vs DLN's -57.84%.

Which ETF is better, ILCG or DLN?

On 10-year performance, ILCG leads with 18.15% vs 12.68% for DLN. On fees, ILCG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, DLN has been the lower-risk option at 2.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILCG or DLN?

Over the 10-year period, ILCG has performed better with a 18.15% return vs 12.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILCG or DLN?

ILCG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for DLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ILCG or DLN?

DLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.79%, compared with 0.40% for ILCG.

What is the main difference between ILCG and DLN?

ILCG tracks Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross, while DLN tracks WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for ILCG and 0.28% for DLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.82), 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.