QQQJ vs. DGRO

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

QQQJ (Invesco NASDAQ Next Gen 100 ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQJ is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Next Generation 100 Index, 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, QQQJ returned 6.73%/yr vs 11.06%/yr for DGRO. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQJ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

QQQJ vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco NASDAQ Next Gen 100 ETF (QQQJ) 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, QQQJ achieves a 21.16% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 12.23% return.

QQQJ

• 1D: -1.07%
• 1M: 0.90%
• 6M: 14.19%
• YTD: 21.16%
• 1Y: 38.78%
• 3Y*: 19.75%
• 5Y*: 6.73%
• 10Y*: —

DGRO

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 2.16%
• 6M: 9.63%
• YTD: 12.23%
• 1Y: 21.63%
• 3Y*: 16.92%
• 5Y*: 11.06%
• 10Y*: 13.26%

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

QQQJ vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QQQJ Invesco NASDAQ Next Gen 100 ETF	21.16%	20.44%	15.36%	13.68%	-28.25%	9.76%	15.34%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	12.23%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	7.99%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQJ and DGRO is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2020	0.70

The correlation between QQQJ and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.74 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QQQJ vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQJ	DGRO
Technology	40.4%	22.0%
Healthcare	18.7%	16.5%
Consumer Cyclical	11.3%	5.4%
Industrials	11.1%	10.4%
Communication Services	7.8%	0.1%
Basic Materials	2.6%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	11.1%
Utilities	2.6%	6.4%
Financial Services	2.0%	20.6%
Energy	1.0%	5.1%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

QQQJ vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQJ

QQQJ Risk / Return Rank: 80
QQQJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QQQJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
QQQJ Omega Ratio Rank: 76
QQQJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
QQQJ Martin Ratio Rank: 85

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 86
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

QQQJ vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco NASDAQ Next Gen 100 ETF (QQQJ) 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.

	QQQJ	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.29	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	3.33	-0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.42	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	3.36	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.55	12.98	+0.57

QQQJ vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQJ 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

QQQJ vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQJ drawdown since its inception was -39.57%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQJ and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQJ	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.57%	-35.10%	-4.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.84%	-6.47%	-5.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.46%	-14.03%	-8.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.57%	-19.31%	-20.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.35%	-0.50%	-1.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.49%	-3.42%	-12.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	1.67%	+1.20%

Volatility

QQQJ vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Invesco NASDAQ Next Gen 100 ETF (QQQJ) has a higher volatility of 5.19% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.52%. This indicates that QQQJ'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

	QQQJ	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.19%	2.52%	+2.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.53%	6.94%	+8.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.11%	9.50%	+9.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.19%	13.79%	+8.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.05%	16.57%	+5.48%

QQQJ vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQJ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QQQJ vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

QQQJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.55%, less than DGRO's 1.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.91%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
QQQJ Invesco NASDAQ Next Gen 100 ETF	0.55%	0.85%	0.77%	0.67%	0.76%	0.91%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQJ and DGRO in my portfolio?

QQQJ 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, QQQJ or DGRO?

QQQJ has higher volatility (5.19%) compared to DGRO (2.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQJ dropped -39.57% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, QQQJ or DGRO?

On 5-year performance, DGRO leads with 11.06% vs 6.73% for QQQJ. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQJ or DGRO?

Over the 5-year period, DGRO has performed better with a 11.06% return vs 6.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQJ or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QQQJ.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.91%, compared with 0.55% for QQQJ.

What is the main difference between QQQJ and DGRO?

QQQJ is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. QQQJ tracks NASDAQ Next Generation 100 Index, while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QQQJ and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.04), 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.