MMAX vs. DGRO
MMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MMAX is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by iShares, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. MMAX is actively managed, while DGRO is passively managed. Over the past year, MMAX returned 7.67% vs 22.54% for DGRO. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MMAX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.
Performance
MMAX vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MMAX achieves a 3.09% return, which is significantly lower than DGRO's 8.76% return.
MMAX
- 1D
- -0.13%
- 1M
- 0.60%
- YTD
- 3.09%
- 6M
- 3.75%
- 1Y
- 7.67%
- 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%
MMAX vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
MMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 3.09% | 5.88% |
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | 8.76% | 14.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between MMAX and DGRO is 0.54, 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 | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2025 | 0.57 |
The correlation between MMAX and DGRO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
MMAX vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank
MMAX
DGRO
MMAX vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF (MMAX) 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.
| MMAX | DGRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +3.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +7.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 2.51 | 1.43 | +1.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 22.49 | 3.50 | +18.99 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 112.49 | 13.52 | +98.97 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MMAX | DGRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.52 | 2.39 | +3.13 |
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 | 3.13 | 0.76 | +2.37 |
Drawdowns
MMAX vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MMAX drawdown since its inception was -1.93%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MMAX and DGRO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MMAX | DGRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -1.93% | -35.10% | +33.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.34% | -6.47% | +6.13% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.13% | -0.28% | +0.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.10% | -3.44% | +3.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.07% | 1.67% | -1.60% |
Volatility
MMAX vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF (MMAX) is 0.36%, while iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) has a volatility of 2.21%. This indicates that MMAX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| MMAX | DGRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.36% | 2.21% | -1.85% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.96% | 6.91% | -5.95% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.39% | 9.48% | -8.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.49% | 13.82% | -11.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.49% | 16.62% | -14.13% |
MMAX vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison
MMAX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
MMAX vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison
MMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, 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% |
MMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.27% | 1.31% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MMAX and DGRO have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DGRO has higher volatility (2.21%) compared to MMAX (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MMAX dropped -1.93% vs DGRO's -35.10%.
On 1-year performance, DGRO leads with 22.54% vs 7.67% for MMAX. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, MMAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, DGRO has performed better with a 22.54% return vs 7.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for MMAX.
DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.96%, compared with 1.27% for MMAX.
MMAX is categorized as Defined Outcome, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for MMAX and 0.08% for DGRO.
MMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.52 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.
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