VIG vs DGRO: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF against iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF, over the same 6 years (July 2020 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From July 2020 to October 2026, VIG returned 14.1% a year and DGRO 14.9% a year on average, so DGRO came out ahead by 0.8% a year. DGRO was the more volatile of the two (13.7% against 13.6% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 20.2% for VIG and 18.6% for DGRO.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.98: they moved almost in lockstep. Over 41 rolling 3-year periods, VIG did better in 61% and DGRO in 39%.
Side by side
| VIG | DGRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +14.1% | +14.9% |
| Total return | +130% | +141% |
| Annual volatility | 13.6% | 13.7% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −20.2% | −18.6% |
| Worst month | −8.2% | −8.3% |
| Best month | +10.0% | +12.1% |
| Positive months | 64% | 66% |
| Best year | 2021: +23.8% | 2021: +26.7% |
| Worst year | 2022: −9.8% | 2022: −7.9% |
| 1-year return | +13.5% | +18.0% |
| 5 years, a year | +10.3% | +10.9% |
| 10 years, a year | — | +13.8% |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 76 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: VIG vs DGRO
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VIG | DGRO |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +14.2% | +15.7% |
| 2024 | +17.0% | +16.6% |
| 2023 | +14.5% | +10.5% |
| 2022 | −9.8% | −7.9% |
| 2021 | +23.8% | +26.7% |
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, VIG or DGRO?
From July 2020 to October 2026, VIG returned +14.1% a year and DGRO +14.9% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods VIG did better in 61% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VIG or DGRO?
Over the same months annual volatility was 13.6% for VIG and 13.7% for DGRO; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 20.2% and 18.6%, and the worst single month −8.2% and −8.3%.
How correlated are VIG and DGRO?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.98: they moved almost in lockstep. Holding both adds little diversification compared with holding one.
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.