DGRO vs SPYI: ETF Comparison
Compare DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) and SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 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 SPYI: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, SPYI edges out DGRO: +14.6% per year vs +12.5% per year — a gap of 2.1 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 SPYI has only 3.9 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: SPYI currently yields 11.94% 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 SPYI 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 |
| SPYI | NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF | NEOS | 8/30/2022 | 3.9y | +71.0% | +14.6% | 11.94% | 0.68% | B |
DGRO vs SPYI — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, DGRO or SPYI?
By average annual total return since inception, SPYI edges out DGRO (+14.6% 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 SPYI?
DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) is offered by iShares and currently yields 2.0%. SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF) is offered by NEOS and yields 11.94%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +12.5% and +14.6% respectively.
Does SPYI pay a higher dividend than DGRO?
SPYI currently yields 11.94% and DGRO yields 2.0%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.