RDVY vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RDVY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RDVY returned 15.66%/yr vs 13.33%/yr for DGRO. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RDVY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

RDVY vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) 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, RDVY achieves a 9.74% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 9.06% return. Over the past 10 years, RDVY has outperformed DGRO with an annualized return of 15.66%, while DGRO has yielded a comparatively lower 13.33% annualized return.

RDVY

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 11.71%
• 1Y: 27.07%
• 3Y*: 20.26%
• 5Y*: 11.20%
• 10Y*: 15.66%

DGRO

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 2.63%
• YTD: 9.06%
• 6M: 10.08%
• 1Y: 23.65%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

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

RDVY vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	9.74%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	22.75%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	9.06%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between RDVY and DGRO is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2014	0.88

The correlation between RDVY and DGRO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

RDVY vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RDVY	DGRO
Financial Services	36.5%	21.2%
Technology	17.6%	19.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	5.7%
Industrials	12.2%	10.8%
Healthcare	8.1%	16.4%
Communication Services	5.4%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	11.5%
Energy	1.4%	5.6%
Utilities	1.4%	6.9%
Basic Materials	-	2.5%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

RDVY vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 60
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 55
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 69

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 76
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

RDVY vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) 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.

	RDVY	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.51	-0.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	3.64	-0.86
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.46	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.71	-0.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.90	14.35	-1.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RDVY vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDVY 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

	RDVY	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	2.51	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.78	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.80	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.77	-0.10

Drawdowns

RDVY vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDVY drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDVY and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDVY	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-35.10%	-5.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-6.47%	-2.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.11%	-14.03%	-5.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	-19.31%	-6.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	-35.10%	-5.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	0.00%	-0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.01%	-3.45%	-1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	1.67%	+0.47%

Volatility

RDVY vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) has a higher volatility of 4.03% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.36%. This indicates that RDVY'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

	RDVY	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	2.36%	+1.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.96%	6.96%	+4.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.02%	9.47%	+4.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.92%	13.82%	+5.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.11%	16.63%	+4.48%

RDVY vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDVY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDVY vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

RDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than DGRO's 1.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.95%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.92%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDVY and DGRO in my portfolio?

RDVY and DGRO have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDVY or DGRO?

RDVY has higher volatility (4.03%) compared to DGRO (2.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDVY dropped -40.60% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, RDVY or DGRO?

On 10-year performance, RDVY leads with 15.66% vs 13.33% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RDVY or DGRO?

Over the 10-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 15.66% return vs 13.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDVY or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for RDVY.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.95%, compared with 0.92% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between RDVY and DGRO?

RDVY is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. RDVY tracks NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers, while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for RDVY and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.94), 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.