Compare/Updated Oct 26, 2026, refreshed every trading day
DGRO vs VYM
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF against Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF: 4 years of returns, risk and today’s technical read, from Kavout’s own data.
DGRO did better over the period: $1,000 invested on October 28, 2022 grew to $1,771, versus $1,694 for VYM—a 7.7-point advantage. DGRO also led over one month, three months, six months, YTD, one year, and three years, although the difference was modest over three years (71.8% versus 70.1%). Its recent volatility was slightly lower at 9.5%, compared with 10.0% for VYM, and its worst drawdown was marginally less severe at -14.0% versus -14.5%. The trade-off is cost: DGRO’s 0.08% expense ratio is double VYM’s 0.04%. The funds remain highly similar, with a 0.971 correlation of daily moves, and DGRO won 26 of the last 48 months. Overall, DGRO delivered better returns with slightly lower recent risk, while VYM offered the lower fee.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($74); 50-day at $78.
- RSI 65, neutral. Supertrend says buy. ADX 34, so the trend is strong.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($155); 50-day at $161.
- RSI 59, neutral. Supertrend says buy. ADX 24, so the trend is developing.
Head to head
Which has returned more, DGRO or VYM?
DGRO beat VYM in 26 of the last 48 months; VYM won the other 22. The typical monthly gap was 0.53 points.
Total return by period
Which is riskier?
DGRO: Nov 29, 2024 to Apr 8, 2025; VYM: Feb 19, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025
- 0.971
- correlation of daily moves, 4 years
- 0.94
- DGRO move per 1% in VYM
- 0.924
- correlation, last 12 months
Month by month
Of the last 48 months. The typical gap was 0.53 points.
When did they diverge?
| Month | DGRO | VYM | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | +1.6% | -0.1% | +1.72 pts |
| October 2026 | +5.7% | +4.1% | +1.59 pts |
| May 2023 | -3.5% | -5.1% | +1.58 pts |
| March 2024 | +3.9% | +5.4% | -1.50 pts |
Where the numbers come from. 1000 daily adjusted closes per fund from the Kavout market-data API, dividends included. Signals and indicators are Kavout’s own, refreshed nightly. Every figure is calculated from those adjusted closes.
Holdings and fees
What do you actually own with DGRO and VYM?
Go deeper
Ask InvestGPT which one fits your portfolio.
Eight research agents read your holdings, the overlap and the tax side, then answer in plain words. Free accounts get one report a month.
More comparisons
Find another comparison.
Track both, get told when something changes.
Add DGRO and VYM to a watchlist and Kavout emails you when a signal flips or a price target is hit.
Free account, no card