WUGI vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WUGI (Esoterica NextG Economy ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. WUGI is actively managed, while DGRO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WUGI returned 17.63%/yr vs 10.54%/yr for DGRO. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WUGI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

WUGI vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) 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, WUGI achieves a 28.46% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 8.76% return.

WUGI

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 17.60%
• YTD: 28.46%
• 6M: 28.35%
• 1Y: 48.48%
• 3Y*: 37.24%
• 5Y*: 17.63%
• 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)

WUGI vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
WUGI Esoterica NextG Economy ETF	28.46%	22.66%	47.14%	61.30%	-49.55%	25.18%	95.37%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.76%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	40.22%

Correlation

The correlation between WUGI and DGRO is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2020	0.49

The correlation between WUGI and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.36 (1 year) to 0.51 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

WUGI vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WUGI	DGRO
Technology	70.5%	19.4%
Communication Services	12.1%	0.1%
Industrials	9.3%	10.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	5.7%
Financial Services	1.8%	21.2%
Healthcare	0.2%	16.4%
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	11.5%
Real Estate	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	2.5%
Energy	0.0%	5.6%
Utilities	-	6.9%

Return for Risk

WUGI vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

WUGI

WUGI Risk / Return Rank: 57
WUGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
WUGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
WUGI Omega Ratio Rank: 58
WUGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
WUGI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

WUGI vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) 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.

	WUGI	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	2.39	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	3.49	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.43	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	3.50	-0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.93	13.52	-4.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WUGI vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WUGI Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WUGI 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

	WUGI	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	2.39	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.77	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.76	+0.15

Drawdowns

WUGI vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WUGI drawdown since its inception was -56.41%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WUGI and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	WUGI	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.41%	-35.10%	-21.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.99%	-6.47%	-11.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.49%	-14.03%	-13.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.41%	-19.31%	-37.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.28%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.67%	-3.44%	-13.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.45%	1.67%	+3.78%

Volatility

WUGI vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) has a higher volatility of 9.13% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.21%. This indicates that WUGI'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

	WUGI	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.13%	2.21%	+6.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.54%	6.91%	+12.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.20%	9.48%	+13.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.76%	13.82%	+16.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.89%	16.62%	+14.27%

WUGI vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

WUGI vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

WUGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 17.77%, 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%
WUGI Esoterica NextG Economy ETF	17.77%	22.83%	4.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WUGI and DGRO in my portfolio?

WUGI and DGRO have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WUGI or DGRO?

WUGI has higher volatility (9.13%) compared to DGRO (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WUGI dropped -56.41% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, WUGI or DGRO?

On 5-year performance, WUGI leads with 17.63% 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, WUGI or DGRO?

Over the 5-year period, WUGI has performed better with a 17.63% return vs 10.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WUGI or DGRO?

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

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

WUGI has the higher dividend yield at 17.77%, compared with 1.96% for DGRO.

What is the main difference between WUGI and DGRO?

They also come from different issuers: Esoterica and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for WUGI and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.10), 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.