USRT vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USRT (iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USRT is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index, 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, USRT returned 6.21%/yr vs 13.30%/yr for DGRO. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.08% expense ratio.

Performance

USRT vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) 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, USRT achieves a 12.59% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 8.76% return. Over the past 10 years, USRT has underperformed DGRO with an annualized return of 6.21%, while DGRO has yielded a comparatively higher 13.30% annualized return.

USRT

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -0.19%
• YTD: 12.59%
• 6M: 11.36%
• 1Y: 15.26%
• 3Y*: 11.53%
• 5Y*: 4.73%
• 10Y*: 6.21%

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)

USRT vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF	12.59%	2.44%	8.58%	13.64%	-24.43%	43.26%	-8.06%	25.98%	-4.67%	5.27%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.76%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between USRT and DGRO is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2014	0.62

The correlation between USRT and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

USRT vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USRT	DGRO
Real Estate	99.4%	-
Financial Services	0.1%	21.2%
Basic Materials	-	2.5%
Communication Services	-	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	11.5%
Energy	-	5.6%
Healthcare	-	16.4%
Industrials	-	10.8%
Technology	-	19.4%
Utilities	-	6.9%

Return for Risk

USRT vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

USRT

USRT Risk / Return Rank: 33
USRT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
USRT Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
USRT Omega Ratio Rank: 29
USRT Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
USRT Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

USRT vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) 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.

	USRT	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	2.39	-1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	3.49	-1.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.43	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	3.50	-1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.15	13.52	-7.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USRT vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USRT Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is lower than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USRT 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

	USRT	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.15	2.39	-1.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.77	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.80	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	0.76	-0.58

Drawdowns

USRT vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USRT drawdown since its inception was -69.91%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USRT and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	USRT	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.91%	-35.10%	-34.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.04%	-6.47%	-1.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.70%	-14.03%	-4.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.03%	-19.31%	-11.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.38%	-35.10%	-9.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.01%	-0.28%	-2.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.97%	-3.44%	-9.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	1.67%	+0.82%

Volatility

USRT vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) has a higher volatility of 3.92% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.21%. This indicates that USRT'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

	USRT	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	2.21%	+1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.25%	6.91%	+2.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.28%	9.48%	+3.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.89%	13.82%	+5.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.28%	16.62%	+4.66%

USRT vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both USRT and DGRO have an expense ratio of 0.08%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

USRT vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

USRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, 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%
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF	2.67%	3.07%	2.85%	3.18%	3.46%	2.27%	3.12%	3.34%	5.66%	3.44%	3.98%	3.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USRT and DGRO in my portfolio?

USRT and DGRO have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USRT or DGRO?

USRT has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to DGRO (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USRT dropped -69.91% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, USRT or DGRO?

On 10-year performance, DGRO leads with 13.30% vs 6.21% for USRT. Both ETFs have the same 0.08% expense ratio. 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, USRT or DGRO?

Over the 10-year period, DGRO has performed better with a 13.30% return vs 6.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USRT or DGRO?

USRT and DGRO have the same expense ratio: 0.08% per year.

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

USRT has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 1.96% for DGRO.

What is the main difference between USRT and DGRO?

USRT is categorized as REIT, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. USRT tracks FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index, while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.15), 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.