IMCB vs. DGRO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IMCB (iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IMCB is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the IMCB-US - Morningstar U.S. Mid Cap 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, IMCB returned 11.27%/yr vs 13.44%/yr for DGRO. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IMCB charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

IMCB vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB) 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, IMCB achieves a 17.87% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 13.39% return. Over the past 10 years, IMCB has underperformed DGRO with an annualized return of 11.27%, while DGRO has yielded a comparatively higher 13.44% annualized return.

IMCB

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -0.01%
• 6M: 14.48%
• YTD: 17.87%
• 1Y: 23.21%
• 3Y*: 15.79%
• 5Y*: 9.14%
• 10Y*: 11.27%
• ALL TIME*: 10.39%

DGRO

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 0.97%
• 6M: 9.59%
• YTD: 13.39%
• 1Y: 24.21%
• 3Y*: 16.30%
• 5Y*: 11.08%
• 10Y*: 13.44%
• ALL TIME*: 12.47%

*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	$103.52M	$104.25M	$110.17M
IMCB iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF	$2.94M	$3.89M	$3.49M

IMCB vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IMCB iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF	17.87%	10.25%	15.10%	16.37%	-16.09%	22.81%	13.35%	31.49%	-11.53%	19.70%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	13.39%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between IMCB and DGRO is 0.80, 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.	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2014	0.89

The correlation between IMCB and DGRO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

IMCB vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IMCB	DGRO
Industrials	18.4%	11.3%
Technology	17.9%	17.3%
Financial Services	14.1%	20.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	6.5%
Healthcare	8.8%	17.9%
Energy	7.0%	4.8%
Utilities	6.5%	7.3%
Basic Materials	5.5%	2.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	11.9%
Real Estate	4.5%	-
Communication Services	2.4%	0.1%

Return for Risk

IMCB vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IMCB

IMCB Risk / Return Rank: 75
IMCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
IMCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
IMCB Omega Ratio Rank: 70
IMCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
IMCB Martin Ratio Rank: 81

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 91
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
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.

IMCB vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB) 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.

	IMCB	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	2.44	-0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	3.55	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.45	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	3.61	-0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.73	14.07	-3.34

IMCB vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IMCB Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is lower than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IMCB 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

IMCB vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IMCB drawdown since its inception was -58.80%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMCB and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IMCB	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.80%	-35.10%	-23.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.05%	-6.47%	-1.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.80%	-14.03%	-5.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.15%	-19.31%	-5.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.99%	-35.10%	-5.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.91%	-1.35%	+0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.68%	-3.41%	-4.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	1.66%	+0.35%

Volatility

IMCB vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB) is 2.32%, while iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) has a volatility of 3.21%. This indicates that IMCB 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

	IMCB	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.32%	3.21%	-0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.96%	7.12%	+2.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.10%	9.61%	+3.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.56%	13.79%	+3.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.60%	16.58%	+3.02%

IMCB vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IMCB has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IMCB vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

IMCB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, 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%
IMCB iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF	1.21%	1.42%	1.43%	1.55%	1.70%	1.08%	1.12%	1.32%	1.80%	1.31%	1.79%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IMCB and DGRO in my portfolio?

IMCB and DGRO have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IMCB or DGRO?

DGRO has higher volatility (3.21%) compared to IMCB (2.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMCB dropped -58.80% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, IMCB or DGRO?

On 10-year performance, DGRO leads with 13.44% vs 11.27% for IMCB. On fees, IMCB is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IMCB has been the lower-risk option at 2.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IMCB or DGRO?

Over the 10-year period, DGRO has performed better with a 13.44% return vs 11.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IMCB or DGRO?

IMCB is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for DGRO.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.89%, compared with 1.21% for IMCB.

What is the main difference between IMCB and DGRO?

IMCB is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. IMCB tracks IMCB-US - Morningstar U.S. Mid Cap Index, while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for IMCB and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.65), 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.