DGRO vs VHYL: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF against Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF (Dist), over the same 7 years (February 2019 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From February 2019 to October 2026, DGRO returned 13.5% a year and VHYL 7.8% a year on average, so DGRO came out ahead by 5.7% a year. DGRO was the more volatile of the two (14.9% against 12.8% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 21.9% for DGRO and 24.4% for VHYL.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.83: they usually moved together. Over 58 rolling 3-year periods, DGRO did better in 100% and VHYL in 0%.
DGRO trades in USD and VHYL in EUR: each return is in its own currency, so part of the gap reflects the move of the euro against the dollar.
Side by side
| DGRO | VHYL | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +13.5% | +7.8% |
| Total return | +167% | +79% |
| Annual volatility | 14.9% | 12.8% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −21.9% | −24.4% |
| Worst month | −12.8% | −14.4% |
| Best month | +12.1% | +11.0% |
| Positive months | 67% | 62% |
| Best year | 2021: +26.7% | 2021: +23.7% |
| Worst year | 2022: −7.9% | 2020: −12.0% |
| 1-year return | +18.0% | +23.1% |
| 5 years, a year | +10.9% | +8.8% |
| 10 years, a year | +13.8% | — |
| Trading currency | USD | EUR |
First nine rows: the same 93 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: DGRO vs VHYL
Returns by calendar year
| Year | DGRO | VHYL |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +15.7% | +10.1% |
| 2024 | +16.6% | +12.6% |
| 2023 | +10.5% | +3.9% |
| 2022 | −7.9% | −4.0% |
| 2021 | +26.7% | +23.7% |
| 2020 | +9.5% | −12.0% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, DGRO or VHYL?
From February 2019 to October 2026, DGRO returned +13.5% a year and VHYL +7.8% a year, with dividends reinvested, each in its own trading currency (USD and EUR). Over rolling 3-year periods DGRO did better in 100% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, DGRO or VHYL?
Over the same months annual volatility was 14.9% for DGRO and 12.8% for VHYL; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 21.9% and 24.4%, and the worst single month −12.8% and −14.4%.
How correlated are DGRO and VHYL?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.83: they usually moved together. Combining them has historically given some diversification.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.