SSUS vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SSUS (Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. SSUS is actively managed, while DGRO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SSUS returned 11.91%/yr vs 10.54%/yr for DGRO. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SSUS charges 0.81%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

SSUS vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF (SSUS) 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, SSUS achieves a 14.61% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 8.76% return.

SSUS

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 7.35%
• YTD: 14.61%
• 6M: 14.65%
• 1Y: 29.88%
• 3Y*: 18.55%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: —

DGRO

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 3.14%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.75%
• 1Y: 22.54%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: 10.54%
• 10Y*: 13.30%

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

SSUS vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SSUS Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF	14.61%	16.47%	18.86%	18.19%	-17.64%	28.02%	17.44%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.76%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	7.43%

Correlation

The correlation between SSUS and DGRO is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2020	0.85

The correlation between SSUS and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SSUS vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SSUS	DGRO
Technology	45.5%	19.4%
Communication Services	17.2%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	6.6%	5.7%
Industrials	6.5%	10.8%
Financial Services	5.5%	21.2%
Healthcare	4.4%	16.4%
Real Estate	3.8%	-
Utilities	3.7%	6.9%
Energy	2.8%	5.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	11.5%
Basic Materials	1.6%	2.5%

Return for Risk

SSUS vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSUS

SSUS Risk / Return Rank: 74
SSUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
SSUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SSUS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SSUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
SSUS Martin Ratio Rank: 79

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 71
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

SSUS vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF (SSUS) 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.

	SSUS	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	2.39	+0.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.35	3.49	-0.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.43	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	3.50	-0.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.41	13.52	+1.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSUS vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSUS 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

	SSUS	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	2.39	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.77	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.76	+0.08

Drawdowns

SSUS vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSUS drawdown since its inception was -23.75%, smaller than the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSUS and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSUS	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.75%	-35.10%	+11.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.05%	-6.47%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.60%	-14.03%	-3.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.45%	-19.31%	-4.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-0.28%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.24%	-3.44%	-1.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.67%	+0.27%

Volatility

SSUS vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF (SSUS) has a higher volatility of 3.45% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.21%. This indicates that SSUS'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

	SSUS	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	2.21%	+1.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.51%	6.91%	+2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.23%	9.48%	+2.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.26%	13.82%	+1.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.86%	16.62%	+0.24%

SSUS vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSUS has a 0.81% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSUS vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

SSUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less 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%
SSUS Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF	0.45%	0.52%	0.68%	1.07%	0.63%	0.55%	0.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSUS and DGRO in my portfolio?

SSUS and DGRO have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSUS or DGRO?

SSUS has higher volatility (3.45%) compared to DGRO (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSUS dropped -23.75% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, SSUS or DGRO?

On 5-year performance, SSUS leads with 11.91% vs 10.54% for DGRO. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SSUS or DGRO?

Over the 5-year period, SSUS has performed better with a 11.91% return vs 10.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SSUS or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.81% for SSUS.

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

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.96%, compared with 0.45% for SSUS.

What is the main difference between SSUS and DGRO?

They also come from different issuers: Donald L. Hagan LLC and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.81% for SSUS and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 2.39), 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.