QDPL vs. DGRO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QDPL (Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDPL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier Index - Series 400, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QDPL returned 11.81%/yr vs 11.08%/yr for DGRO. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QDPL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

QDPL vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL) 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, QDPL achieves a 9.38% return, which is significantly lower than DGRO's 13.39% return.

QDPL

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: -0.02%
• 6M: 8.07%
• YTD: 9.38%
• 1Y: 20.15%
• 3Y*: 17.85%
• 5Y*: 11.81%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.70%

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
QDPL Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF	$5.21M	$5.24M	$6.26M

QDPL vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QDPL Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF	9.38%	16.52%	22.83%	23.66%	-16.25%	7.82%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	13.39%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	9.56%

Correlation

The correlation between QDPL and DGRO is 0.56, 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.	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2021	0.79

Over the past year, the correlation between QDPL and DGRO has dropped to 0.56 - well below their long-term average of 0.79, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QDPL vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDPL	DGRO
Technology	31.0%	17.3%
Financial Services	10.0%	20.4%
Communication Services	7.6%	0.1%
Healthcare	7.5%	17.9%
Consumer Cyclical	7.2%	6.5%
Industrials	6.3%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	11.9%
Energy	2.8%	4.8%
Utilities	2.2%	7.3%
Real Estate	1.6%	-
Basic Materials	1.5%	2.5%

Return for Risk

QDPL vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDPL

QDPL Risk / Return Rank: 63
QDPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
QDPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QDPL Omega Ratio Rank: 61
QDPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QDPL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

QDPL vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL) 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.

	QDPL	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	2.44	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	3.55	-1.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.45	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	3.61	-1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.06	14.07	-5.00

QDPL vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDPL Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is lower than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDPL 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

QDPL vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDPL drawdown since its inception was -22.59%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDPL and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDPL	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.59%	-35.10%	+12.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.65%	-6.47%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-14.03%	-3.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.59%	-19.31%	-3.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.57%	-1.35%	-0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.04%	-3.41%	-1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	1.66%	+0.34%

Volatility

QDPL vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL) is 3.02%, while iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) has a volatility of 3.21%. This indicates that QDPL 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

	QDPL	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.02%	3.21%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.92%	7.12%	+2.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.68%	9.61%	+3.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.02%	13.79%	+1.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.99%	16.58%	-1.59%

QDPL vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDPL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDPL vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

QDPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more 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%
QDPL Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF	4.58%	4.84%	5.43%	6.30%	7.27%	2.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDPL and DGRO in my portfolio?

QDPL and DGRO have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDPL or DGRO?

DGRO has higher volatility (3.21%) compared to QDPL (3.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDPL dropped -22.59% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, QDPL or DGRO?

On 5-year performance, QDPL leads with 11.81% vs 11.08% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, QDPL has been the lower-risk option at 3.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDPL or DGRO?

Over the 5-year period, QDPL has performed better with a 11.81% return vs 11.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDPL or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QDPL.

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

QDPL has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 1.89% for DGRO.

What is the main difference between QDPL and DGRO?

QDPL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. QDPL tracks Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier Index - Series 400, while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QDPL and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.43), 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.