NSBRX vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NSBRX (Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both funds - NSBRX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Nuveen, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, NSBRX returned 12.71%/yr vs 13.33%/yr for DGRO. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NSBRX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

NSBRX vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund (NSBRX) 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, NSBRX achieves a 3.11% return, which is significantly lower than DGRO's 9.06% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NSBRX having a 12.71% annualized return and DGRO not far ahead at 13.33%.

NSBRX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 3.25%
• 1Y: 11.27%
• 3Y*: 13.87%
• 5Y*: 9.52%
• 10Y*: 12.71%

DGRO

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 2.63%
• YTD: 9.06%
• 6M: 10.08%
• 1Y: 23.65%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

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

NSBRX vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NSBRX Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund	3.11%	10.03%	17.56%	15.08%	-9.63%	27.17%	9.79%	41.88%	-4.36%	20.07%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	9.06%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between NSBRX and DGRO is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2014	0.95

The correlation between NSBRX and DGRO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NSBRX vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSBRX

NSBRX Risk / Return Rank: 18
NSBRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
NSBRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
NSBRX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
NSBRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
NSBRX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 76
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

NSBRX vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund (NSBRX) 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.

	NSBRX	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	2.51	-1.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	3.64	-1.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.46	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	3.71	-2.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.73	14.35	-8.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NSBRX vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSBRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSBRX 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

	NSBRX	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21	2.51	-1.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.78	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.80	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.77	-0.17

Drawdowns

NSBRX vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSBRX drawdown since its inception was -45.14%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSBRX and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSBRX	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.14%	-35.10%	-10.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.80%	-6.47%	-1.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.89%	-14.03%	-0.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.79%	-19.31%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.69%	-35.10%	+1.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	0.00%	-0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.26%	-3.45%	-1.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	1.67%	+0.51%

Volatility

NSBRX vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund (NSBRX) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) have volatilities of 2.30% and 2.36%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSBRX	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.30%	2.36%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.49%	6.96%	+0.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.80%	9.47%	+0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.27%	13.82%	+0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.59%	16.63%	-0.04%

NSBRX vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSBRX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSBRX vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

NSBRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.72%, more than DGRO's 1.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.95%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
NSBRX Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund	11.72%	9.26%	6.82%	3.01%	3.58%	3.67%	4.68%	15.68%	7.04%	4.57%	1.75%	6.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSBRX and DGRO in my portfolio?

NSBRX and DGRO have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSBRX or DGRO?

DGRO has higher volatility (2.36%) compared to NSBRX (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSBRX dropped -45.14% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.21), 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.