PRDGX vs. BKLC

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

PRDGX (T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund, Inc.) and BKLC (BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. PRDGX is actively managed, while BKLC is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PRDGX returned 9.92%/yr vs 13.70%/yr for BKLC. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRDGX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for BKLC.

Performance

PRDGX vs. BKLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund, Inc. (PRDGX) and BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRDGX achieves a 6.64% return, which is significantly lower than BKLC's 8.41% return.

PRDGX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 1.94%
• YTD: 6.64%
• 6M: 7.66%
• 1Y: 15.93%
• 3Y*: 15.19%
• 5Y*: 9.92%
• 10Y*: 12.74%

BKLC

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 8.41%
• 6M: 8.51%
• 1Y: 24.40%
• 3Y*: 22.22%
• 5Y*: 13.70%
• 10Y*: —

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

PRDGX vs. BKLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PRDGX T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund, Inc.	6.64%	14.74%	13.48%	13.68%	-10.22%	26.03%	31.97%
BKLC BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF	8.41%	18.06%	25.56%	30.88%	-20.52%	27.41%	37.31%

Correlation

The correlation between PRDGX and BKLC is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2020	0.87

The correlation between PRDGX and BKLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRDGX vs. BKLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRDGX

PRDGX Risk / Return Rank: 42
PRDGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PRDGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
PRDGX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
PRDGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PRDGX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

BKLC

BKLC Risk / Return Rank: 67
BKLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
BKLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
BKLC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
BKLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
BKLC Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

PRDGX vs. BKLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund, Inc. (PRDGX) and BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC). 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.

	PRDGX	BKLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.98	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.65	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.36	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	2.69	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.71	12.15	-3.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRDGX vs. BKLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRDGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the BKLC Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRDGX and BKLC, 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

	PRDGX	BKLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	1.98	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.80	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	1.09	-0.43

Drawdowns

PRDGX vs. BKLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRDGX drawdown since its inception was -49.79%, which is greater than BKLC's maximum drawdown of -26.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRDGX and BKLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRDGX	BKLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.79%	-26.14%	-23.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	-9.10%	+1.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.15%	-19.05%	+4.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.31%	-26.14%	+6.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.18%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	-3.00%	+1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.42%	-5.26%	-0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.79%	2.01%	-0.22%

Volatility

PRDGX vs. BKLC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund, Inc. (PRDGX) is 2.28%, while BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC) has a volatility of 3.91%. This indicates that PRDGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BKLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRDGX	BKLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.28%	3.91%	-1.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.59%	9.58%	-1.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.80%	12.40%	-2.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.07%	17.21%	-3.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.88%	17.46%	-1.58%

PRDGX vs. BKLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRDGX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than BKLC's 0.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRDGX vs. BKLC - Dividend Comparison

PRDGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.59%, more than BKLC's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BKLC BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF	1.04%	1.05%	1.22%	1.35%	1.64%	1.10%	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PRDGX T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth Fund, Inc.	7.59%	8.02%	4.66%	2.78%	3.81%	2.00%	1.03%	2.33%	3.67%	1.82%	3.07%	7.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRDGX and BKLC in my portfolio?

PRDGX and BKLC have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRDGX or BKLC?

BKLC has higher volatility (3.91%) compared to PRDGX (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRDGX dropped -49.79% vs BKLC's -26.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BKLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.60), 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.