SPRX vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SPRX (Spear Alpha ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPRX is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Spear, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. SPRX is actively managed, while DGRO is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SPRX returned 47.54%/yr vs 17.46%/yr for DGRO. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPRX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

SPRX vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX) 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, SPRX achieves a 49.15% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 9.64% return.

SPRX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 29.77%
• YTD: 49.15%
• 6M: 42.36%
• 1Y: 108.80%
• 3Y*: 47.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

SPRX vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SPRX Spear Alpha ETF	49.15%	41.91%	20.58%	88.02%	-44.99%	8.91%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	9.64%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	8.62%

Correlation

The correlation between SPRX and DGRO is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2021	0.53

The correlation between SPRX and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (1 year) to 0.53 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPRX vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPRX	DGRO
Technology	72.7%	19.4%
Industrials	15.5%	10.8%
Financial Services	8.0%	21.2%
Communication Services	3.9%	0.1%
Utilities	1.4%	6.9%
Basic Materials	-	2.5%
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	11.5%
Energy	-	5.6%
Healthcare	-	16.4%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

SPRX vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPRX

SPRX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SPRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
SPRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPRX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
SPRX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

SPRX vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX) 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.

	SPRX	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.53	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	3.68	-0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.46	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.52	3.71	+0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.31	14.33	-0.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPRX vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPRX 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

	SPRX	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.53	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.78	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.77	-0.18

Drawdowns

SPRX vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPRX drawdown since its inception was -51.21%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPRX and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPRX	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.21%	-35.10%	-16.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.21%	-6.47%	-17.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.12%	-14.03%	-28.09%
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	-2.30%	0.00%	-2.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.64%	-3.44%	-14.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.63%	1.67%	+5.96%

Volatility

SPRX vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX) has a higher volatility of 15.04% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.24%. This indicates that SPRX'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

	SPRX	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.04%	2.24%	+12.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.47%	6.94%	+28.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.51%	9.49%	+34.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.72%	13.82%	+27.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.72%	16.62%	+25.10%

SPRX vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPRX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPRX vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

SPRX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%.

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%
SPRX Spear Alpha ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPRX and DGRO in my portfolio?

SPRX and DGRO have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPRX or DGRO?

SPRX has higher volatility (15.04%) compared to DGRO (2.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPRX dropped -51.21% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, SPRX or DGRO?

On 3-year performance, SPRX leads with 47.54% vs 17.46% 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, SPRX or DGRO?

Over the 3-year period, SPRX has performed better with a 47.54% return vs 17.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPRX or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for SPRX.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.94%, compared with 0.00% for SPRX.

What is the main difference between SPRX and DGRO?

SPRX is categorized as Technology Equities, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Spear and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SPRX and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 2.51), 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.