DGRO vs VIG: fees, holdings and returns
DGRO holds about 390 US companies with a record of raising dividends. VIG holds about 330 large US companies that have raised dividends for at least 10 years in a row. Both leave out the highest payers, and they have moved closely. Over the same dates since June 2014, DGRO returned about 12.4% a year and VIG returned about 11.9% a year.
Written by the Tactfolio research team. Fund facts checked October 17, 2026. Prices through October 20, 2026.
Key points
- VIG costs less: 0.04% a year against 0.08%.
- DGRO started trading in June 2014. VIG started in April 2006.
- Worst drops since 2014: DGRO −35.1%, VIG −31.7%.
- Daily correlation: 0.98 (1 means they always move together).
What is the difference between DGRO and VIG?#
The rules differ in length and limits. VIG needs a 10-year record of raises. DGRO’s Morningstar index needs a shorter record and also checks that companies do not pay out too much of their earnings, which lets in more companies. Both weight by size, so the same large companies lead both.
| Fact | DGRO | VIG |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF |
| Issuer | iShares (BlackRock) | Vanguard |
| Expense ratio | 0.08% a year | 0.04% a year |
| Started trading | June 10, 2014 | April 21, 2006 |
| Tracks | Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index | S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index |
| Holdings | 391 holdings as of October 15, 2026 | 333 holdings as of September 30, 2026 |
| Type | US stocks, ETF | US stocks, ETF |
Fund facts checked on the iShares (BlackRock) DGRO page and the Vanguard VIG page.
Is DGRO or VIG cheaper?#
VIG costs less: 0.04% a year against 0.08%. On $10,000, that is about $8 a year for DGRO and $4 for VIG. The fund takes its fee out of its own value a little each day, so you never get a bill.
DGRO vs VIG performance over the same dates#
Both funds are measured from June 2014 to October 2026, the dates both traded. DGRO returned about 12.4% a year and VIG returned about 11.9% a year. DGRO came out ahead over this period, which does not mean it will again.
| Measure | DGRO | VIG |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 grew to | $42,427 | $40,088 |
| Total return | 324.3% | 300.9% |
| Return per year (CAGR) | 12.4% | 11.9% |
| Worst drop from a high | −35.1% | −31.7% |
| Volatility (how much it swings) | 16.0% | 15.4% |
| Last 12 months | 18.1% | 13.7% |
| Last 3 years, per year | 20.3% | 18.6% |
| Last 5 years, per year | 10.9% | 10.4% |
| Last 10 years, per year | 13.9% | 13.6% |
Prices through October 20, 2026. Figures use daily closing prices adjusted for splits, with dividends reinvested. They do not include taxes or the cost of buying and selling. Past results do not tell you what will happen next.
DGRO and VIG returns by year#
| Year | DGRO | VIG |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (part of the year) | 15.8% | 11.9% |
| 2025 | 15.7% | 14.2% |
| 2024 | 16.6% | 17.0% |
| 2023 | 10.5% | 14.5% |
| 2022 | −7.9% | −9.8% |
| 2021 | 26.7% | 23.8% |
| 2020 | 9.5% | 15.4% |
| 2019 | 29.9% | 29.6% |
| 2018 | −2.4% | −2.1% |
| 2017 | 23.0% | 22.2% |
| 2016 | 14.5% | 12.0% |
| 2015 | −0.7% | −1.9% |
| 2014 (part of the year) | 8.6% | 6.7% |
Which fell further in bad times?#
A drawdown is how far a fund falls from its last high point. DGRO’s worst fall was −35.1%, from February 12, 2020 to March 23, 2020. It got back to that high on November 9, 2020.
VIG’s worst fall was −31.7%, from February 14, 2020 to March 23, 2020. It got back to that high on August 26, 2020.
Their daily moves had a correlation of 0.98. A correlation of 1 means two funds always move up and down together. Near 0 means they move on their own. So holding both adds little variety.
Why people choose DGRO or VIG#
DGRO. People who want a slightly wider set of dividend growers, or use iShares, often pick DGRO.
VIG. People who want a longer record of dividend raises, or use Vanguard, often pick VIG.
Strategies that hold DGRO or VIG#
No classic strategy holds DGRO or VIG yet.
Other funds like DGRO and VIG#
Each fund has more funds that hold the same kind of investments, ranked by how closely they move with it: DGRO alternatives and VIG alternatives.
Test a mix of DGRO and VIG#
Open the builder, add DGRO and VIG, and give each a weight, such as 50% and 50%. The backtest shows how the mix would have done, with its worst drop, on daily prices. You can also add a rule, for example to switch between them, and compare. Read the full pages for DGRO and VIG, or see more ETF comparisons.
The details#
Both funds use Tactfolio’s stored daily prices, adjusted for splits, with dividends reinvested. They are compared only on days both traded, starting the later fund’s first day, so neither gets a head start. Correlation uses daily returns over the same days. Read what a backtest simulates for more on these measures.
Common questions#
What is the difference between DGRO and VIG?#
Both hold US companies that keep raising dividends. VIG needs 10 years of raises. DGRO needs fewer years and screens for payouts the company can afford.
Do DGRO and VIG hold the same top companies?#
Mostly. Their largest holdings are many of the same large companies with long records of dividend raises.
Which is cheaper, DGRO or VIG?#
VIG costs less: 0.04% a year against 0.08%. Fees come from each issuer and were checked on October 17, 2026.
Which did better, DGRO or VIG?#
From June 2014 to October 2026, DGRO returned about 12.4% a year and VIG returned about 11.9% a year, with dividends reinvested. Their worst drops were −35.1% and −31.7%. Past returns do not tell you what comes next.