QQQI vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Neos, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. QQQI is actively managed, while DGRO is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQI returned 25.86% vs 21.90% for DGRO. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQI charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

QQQI vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) 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, QQQI achieves a 9.93% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 8.47% return.

QQQI

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 9.25%
• 1Y: 25.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DGRO

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 8.47%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 21.90%
• 3Y*: 16.63%
• 5Y*: 10.64%
• 10Y*: 13.26%

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

QQQI vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	9.93%	18.62%	19.83%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.47%	15.69%	13.87%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQI and DGRO is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2024	0.56

The correlation between QQQI and DGRO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQI vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQI	DGRO
Technology	53.3%	19.4%
Communication Services	15.7%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	12.1%	5.7%
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	11.5%
Healthcare	4.3%	16.4%
Industrials	3.3%	10.8%
Utilities	1.5%	6.9%
Basic Materials	1.2%	2.5%
Energy	0.7%	5.6%
Financial Services	0.3%	21.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QQQI vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 64
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 66
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 71

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 78
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
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.

QQQI vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) 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.

	QQQI	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	2.32	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	3.37	-0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.42	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	3.40	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.98	13.12	-1.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQI vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQI Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQI 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

	QQQI	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	2.32	-0.41
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	1.22	0.76	+0.46

Drawdowns

QQQI vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQI drawdown since its inception was -20.00%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQI and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQI	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.00%	-35.10%	+15.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.61%	-6.47%	-3.14%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.26%	-1.07%	-2.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.20%	-3.44%	+1.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	1.67%	+0.49%

Volatility

QQQI vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) has a higher volatility of 5.07% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.32%. This indicates that QQQI'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

	QQQI	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.07%	2.32%	+2.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.75%	6.95%	+3.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.65%	9.52%	+4.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.25%	13.82%	+3.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.25%	16.63%	+0.62%

QQQI vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQI has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQI vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

QQQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.61%, more 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%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.61%	13.82%	12.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQI and DGRO in my portfolio?

QQQI and DGRO have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQI or DGRO?

QQQI has higher volatility (5.07%) compared to DGRO (2.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQI dropped -20.00% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, QQQI or DGRO?

On 1-year performance, QQQI leads with 25.86% vs 21.90% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQI or DGRO?

Over the 1-year period, QQQI has performed better with a 25.86% return vs 21.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQI or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for QQQI.

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

QQQI has the higher dividend yield at 13.61%, compared with 1.96% for DGRO.

What is the main difference between QQQI and DGRO?

QQQI is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Neos and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for QQQI and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 1.91), 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.