DGRO vs HDV: ETF Comparison
Compare DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) and HDV (iShares Core High Dividend ETF) side by side by average annual total return since inception — one fair number covering price and dividends.
Updated Aug 4, 2026
*For entertainment purposes ONLY! NOT financial advice! Data may be inaccurate.*
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DGRO vs HDV: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, DGRO edges out HDV: +12.5% per year vs +10.8% per year — a gap of 1.7 percentage points annually. Total return counts both price movement and dividends, so this is the whole picture of each fund's performance, not just yield.
Keep the track records in mind: HDV has been trading for 15.4 years, while DGRO has only 12.2 years of history. A shorter track record means the younger fund's average has been shaped by fewer market environments — one strong or weak stretch moves the needle more.
Income investors will notice the yield gap: HDV currently yields 3.3% vs DGRO's 2.0%. Higher yield often comes with trade-offs in price appreciation, which is exactly why total return is the fairer scoreboard.
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DGRO vs HDV Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DGRO | iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | iShares | 6/10/2014 | 12.2y | +319.0% | +12.5% | 2.0% | 0.08% | A |
| HDV | iShares Core High Dividend ETF | iShares | 3/29/2011 | 15.4y | +384.0% | +10.8% | 3.3% | 0.08% | B |
DGRO vs HDV — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, DGRO or HDV?
By average annual total return since inception, DGRO edges out HDV (+12.5% vs +10.8% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between DGRO and HDV?
DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) is offered by iShares and currently yields 2.0%. HDV (iShares Core High Dividend ETF) is offered by iShares and yields 3.3%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +12.5% and +10.8% respectively.
Does DGRO pay a higher dividend than HDV?
DGRO currently yields 2.0% and HDV yields 3.3%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.