DGRO vs QQQI: ETF Comparison
Compare DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) and QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq 100 High Income 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 QQQI: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, QQQI holds a clear edge over DGRO: +17.6% per year vs +12.5% per year — a gap of 5.1 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: DGRO has been trading for 12.2 years, while QQQI has only 2.5 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: QQQI currently yields 14.0% 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 QQQI 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 |
| QQQI | NEOS Nasdaq 100 High Income ETF | NEOS | 1/20/2024 | 2.5y | +51.0% | +17.6% | 14.0% | 0.68% | B |
DGRO vs QQQI — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, DGRO or QQQI?
By average annual total return since inception, QQQI holds a clear edge over DGRO (+17.6% vs +12.5% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between DGRO and QQQI?
DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) is offered by iShares and currently yields 2.0%. QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq 100 High Income ETF) is offered by NEOS and yields 14.0%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +12.5% and +17.6% respectively.
Does QQQI pay a higher dividend than DGRO?
QQQI currently yields 14.0% and DGRO yields 2.0%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.