QGRO vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QGRO (American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - QGRO tracks the iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Growth (USD)(GR) while DGRO tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QGRO returned 12.25%/yr vs 10.72%/yr for DGRO. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QGRO charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

QGRO vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) 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, QGRO achieves a 2.33% return, which is significantly lower than DGRO's 9.64% return.

QGRO

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 3.95%
• YTD: 2.33%
• 6M: 2.50%
• 1Y: 10.57%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 12.25%
• 10Y*: —

DGRO

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 3.27%
• YTD: 9.64%
• 6M: 9.87%
• 1Y: 23.89%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 13.34%

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

QGRO vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QGRO American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF	2.33%	15.18%	31.42%	32.42%	-24.54%	24.57%	37.99%	35.09%	-16.85%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	9.64%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-9.66%

Correlation

The correlation between QGRO and DGRO is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2018	0.72

The correlation between QGRO and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.74 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QGRO vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QGRO	DGRO
Technology	37.1%	19.4%
Industrials	13.6%	10.8%
Healthcare	12.7%	16.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	5.7%
Communication Services	11.0%	0.1%
Financial Services	5.9%	21.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	11.5%
Energy	1.8%	5.6%
Utilities	0.9%	6.9%
Real Estate	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	0.3%	2.5%

Return for Risk

QGRO vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

QGRO

QGRO Risk / Return Rank: 21
QGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
QGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
QGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 20
QGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
QGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 22

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 78
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

QGRO vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) 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.

	QGRO	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.69	2.53	-1.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.06	3.68	-2.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.46	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.78	3.71	-2.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.63	14.33	-11.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QGRO vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QGRO Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is lower than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QGRO 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

	QGRO	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69	2.53	-1.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.78	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.77	-0.10

Drawdowns

QGRO vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QGRO drawdown since its inception was -32.56%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QGRO and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	QGRO	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.56%	-35.10%	+2.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.54%	-6.47%	-7.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.82%	-14.03%	-9.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.86%	-19.31%	-12.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	0.00%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.67%	-3.44%	-4.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.03%	1.67%	+2.36%

Volatility

QGRO vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) has a higher volatility of 3.37% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.24%. This indicates that QGRO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QGRO	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.37%	2.24%	+1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.70%	6.94%	+4.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.32%	9.49%	+5.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.05%	13.82%	+7.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.92%	16.62%	+6.30%

QGRO vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

QGRO has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

QGRO vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

QGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.19%, less than DGRO's 1.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.94%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
QGRO American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF	0.19%	0.25%	0.25%	0.41%	0.46%	0.31%	0.22%	0.38%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QGRO and DGRO in my portfolio?

QGRO and DGRO have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QGRO or DGRO?

QGRO has higher volatility (3.37%) compared to DGRO (2.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QGRO dropped -32.56% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, QGRO or DGRO?

On 5-year performance, QGRO leads with 12.25% vs 10.72% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QGRO or DGRO?

Over the 5-year period, QGRO has performed better with a 12.25% return vs 10.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QGRO or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for QGRO.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.94%, compared with 0.19% for QGRO.

What is the main difference between QGRO and DGRO?

QGRO tracks iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Growth (USD)(GR), while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: American Century and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for QGRO and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 0.69), 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.