VIG vs DGRO ETF Comparison
Compare VIG and DGRO across fund costs, diversification, holdings, performance, income, risk and current AlgovestIQ evidence.
What is the main difference between VIG and DGRO?
VIG is Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF, while DGRO is iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF. VIG is tied to Large Cap Equity; DGRO is tied to Equity. DGRO is broader by holdings count, with 390 positions versus 333 for VIG. VIG is more concentrated at the top, based on top-10 holdings weight.
| Metric | VIG | DGRO | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense ratio | 0.04% | 0.08% | Fund |
| Assets under management | $130.9B | $43.6B | Fund |
| Holdings | 333 | 390 | Fund |
| Top-10 concentration | 53.6% | 45.9% | Fund |
| Average volume | 1,295,381 | 2,119,249 | Fund |
| Underlying exposure | Large Cap Equity | Equity | Fund |
| Annualized volatility | 10.1% | 9.6% | Risk |
| Max drawdown | -8.3% | -6.9% | Risk |
| Beta | 0.65 | 0.47 | Risk |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.10 | 1.52 | Risk |
| Sortino ratio | 1.68 | 2.34 | Risk |
| AIQ Score | 57/100 | 58/100 | AlgovestIQ |
| AIQ Edge Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | AlgovestIQ |
| Momentum | 52/100 | 59/100 | AlgovestIQ |
| Risk Resilience | 85/100 | 80/100 | AlgovestIQ |
AlgovestIQ AIQ Comparison
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF vs iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF
DGRO leads
DGRO leads by 1 AIQ points, primarily on Momentum and Value.
Fragile: 2 of 4 evidence groups support DGRO, and its current signal state is conflicted.
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF
The Algovestiq AIQ Score currently favors DGRO over VIG, 58 versus 57 as of Sep 5, 2026. DGRO's advantage is driven primarily by stronger momentum and value, while VIG holds the stronger risk resilience profile. DGRO also shows the stronger technical structure relative to its 50-day moving average. 2 of 4 covered evidence groups favor DGRO today, and the comparison is rated Fragile on stability: the AIQ gap is narrow at 1 points. DGRO lead: Stable — the AIQ differential has held near 1 points over 30 sessions.
Compare Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF across performance, expense ratio, dividend yield, drawdown, volatility and the Algovestiq AIQ Score.
Compare VIG and DGRO against another ticker
Open a multi-ticker workspace without changing this focused pair page.
AIQ Factor Divergence
Where the two separate, on the four dimensions behind the AIQ Score. Bars read outward from a shared zero: further from the centre is a wider gap.
- Momentum25%52 vs 59DGRO +7
- Risk Resilience15%85 vs 80VIG +5
- Value30%38 vs 42DGRO +4
- Quality30%66 vs 63Even
2 of 4 evidence groups favor DGRO. DGRO’s edge is concentrated in momentum and value; VIG keeps a meaningful risk resilience edge.
What changed since the last close
Latest scored session 2026-09-03, compared against the prior scored session 2026-09-02.
Largest factor move: Momentum +9
No new signals fired.
Largest factor move: Momentum +6
No new signals fired.
DGRO's lead narrowed by 1 AIQ points in the latest snapshot.
Deeper signal detail for each name lives on its own signals page — VIG and DGRO both carry a full feed there.
The central trade-off
DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF): the stronger current systematic profile, led by momentum and value.
VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF): the counter-case, on risk resilience.
Which one fits your objective
The same two names rank differently depending on what you are optimizing for. All six reads are shown at once — none of them is hidden behind a toggle.
Balanced
DGRODGRO on the overall AIQ Score, which weights Quality and Value at 30% each.
Growth
EvenGrowth figures are not covered for both names.
Value
DGRODGRO on the peer-relative Value factor, by 4 points.
Momentum
DGRODGRO on the Momentum factor, by 7 points.
Lower downside
VIGVIG on Risk Resilience, by 5 points.
Analyst upside
EvenAnalyst targets are level or not covered for both names.
Fund facts, side by side
Two funds tracking overlapping universes are separated by cost and risk far more than by holdings. Those lead here.
| Measure | VIG | DGRO | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense ratio | 0.04% | 0.08% | Lower is better — it compounds against you every year you hold. |
| Assets under management | $130.9B | $43.6B | Larger funds generally carry tighter spreads. |
| Holdings | 338 | 390 | More holdings means broader diversification, not better returns. |
| Average volume | 1,295,381 | 2,119,249 | Liquidity — matters most if you trade size. |
| Annualized volatility | 10.1% | 9.6% | Lower is a steadier ride for the same exposure. |
| Max drawdown | -8.3% | -6.9% | The worst peak-to-trough loss on record for the fund. |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.10 | 1.52 | Return per unit of risk. Higher is better. |
| Beta | 0.65 | 0.47 | Sensitivity to the broad market. Neither direction is better — it depends on the role in your portfolio. |
Where the exposure actually sits
VIG and DGRO share 108.26% of their weighted exposure across 238 common holdings.
VIG is the more concentrated of the two: its ten largest positions are 53.63% of the fund, against 45.86% for DGRO (333 holdings vs 390). Concentration cuts both ways — it is what drives outperformance when the top names work, and what makes the drawdown deeper when they do not.
95 holdings are unique to VIG and 152 to DGRO. Owning both adds little diversification — they are largely the same exposure in different wrappers.
Largest shared positions
| Holding | VIG | DGRO | Shared |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMICROSOFT | 8.68% | 6.92% | 6.92% |
| AAPLAPPLE | 8.91% | 5.97% | 5.97% |
| JNJJOHNSON & JOHNSON | 5.34% | 6.42% | 5.34% |
| BACBANK OF AMERICA | 3.5% | 3.63% | 3.5% |
| JPMJPMORGAN CHASE & CO | 4.08% | 3.16% | 3.16% |
| KOCOCA-COLA | 2.93% | 3.91% | 2.93% |
| PGPROCTER & GAMBLE | 2.91% | 4.34% | 2.91% |
| HDHOME DEPOT | 2.86% | 4.08% | 2.86% |
Shared weight is the lower of the two positions — the portion of capital both funds genuinely have in the same security.
ETF comparison questions
Short answers to the fund-specific questions behind this comparison.
Which ETF is more diversified, VIG or DGRO?
DGRO currently has more reported holdings, with 390 positions versus 333.
Which has the lower expense ratio?
VIG has the lower reported expense ratio in the current fund profile.
Which ETF has the higher distribution yield?
The current dataset does not show a higher-yield winner.
Which ETF has been more volatile?
VIG has the higher annualized volatility in the current risk snapshot.
Which ETF has had the smaller drawdown?
DGRO has the less severe max drawdown in the current risk snapshot.
Which ETF has the stronger current AlgovestIQ evidence?
DGRO currently leads on supporting AlgovestIQ evidence, 58 to 57.
AIQ Agreement Matrix
2 of 4 covered evidence groups favor DGRO. A wide gap backed by one group is a weaker case than a narrow gap backed by five.
| Evidence group | Favors | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| AIQ Score | Even | 57 vs 58 |
| Fundamentals | Not covered | Not covered |
| Valuation | DGRO | Value 38 vs 42 |
| Technicals | DGRO | Price vs 50-day 0.5% vs 1.1%; vs 200-day 6.3% vs 8.3% |
| Risk Resilience | VIG | Risk Resilience 85 vs 80 |
| Analyst expectations | Not covered | Not covered |
✓ agrees with the overall verdict · ✕ points the other way. Groups marked “not covered” lack data on one or both of VIG and DGRO and are excluded from the count.
AIQ Decision Stability
The conclusion is sensitive to small changes. Treat the lead as provisional and watch the flip conditions below.
- The AIQ gap is narrow at 1 points. (argues the conclusion is provisional)
- Only 2 of 4 covered evidence groups agree. (argues the conclusion is provisional)
- The lead has been steady session to session. (supports the conclusion holding)
- The leader is throwing conflicting signals. (argues the conclusion is provisional)
Stability combines the score gap, how broadly the evidence agrees, how steady the lead has been across daily snapshots, the current signal state on both names, and analyst dispersion on DGRO.
How the comparison changed
120 daily snapshots · Apr 22 – Sep 3DGRO lead: Stable — the AIQ differential has held near 1 points over 30 sessions.
- Today
- DGRO +1
- 57 vs 58
- 7 sessions ago
- DGRO +2
- 56 vs 58
- 30 sessions ago
- Level
- 63 vs 63
- 90 sessions ago
- DGRO +1
- 60 vs 61
The lead changed hands once in this window, most recently on Aug 17 when VIG moved ahead of DGRO.
AIQ Signal Divergence
Only the signals that bear on the head-to-head. A conflicted name is carrying bullish and bearish rules at the same time — the technical evidence is not pointing one way.
4 bullish / 1 bearish / 2 neutral, conflicted
- Golden Cross Active — bullish, trend, long horizon (5.26%)
- Bollinger Band Squeeze — neutral, volatility, short horizon
- EMA Ribbon Expansion Bullish — bullish, trend, medium horizon
4 bullish / 1 bearish / 2 neutral, conflicted
- Golden Cross Active — bullish, trend, long horizon (6.40%)
- Bollinger Band Squeeze — neutral, volatility, short horizon
- EMA Ribbon Expansion Bullish — bullish, trend, medium horizon
DGRO leads the comparison while carrying a conflicted signal state, which is one reason the stability rating is not higher.
Price vs model alignment
Whether the latest session's price move confirms what the model did over the same session, or contradicts it.
Price is down while the AIQ Score moved up 2 points over the same session — price and model disagree (price -0.46%, AIQ +2 points).
Price is down while the AIQ Score moved up 1 points over the same session — price and model disagree (price -0.6%, AIQ +1 points).
What would flip this result
A state, not a forecast. These are the specific, observable changes that would reverse the verdict — not a price prediction.
- 1VIG closes the Momentum gap — currently 7 points behind, the largest single contributor to DGRO's edge.
- 2VIG's Bollinger Band Squeeze turns directional — it is neutral today and would confirm a change in trend.
- 3DGRO's conflicting signal state resolves bearish — it currently carries 4 bullish and 1 bearish rules at once.
- 4A regime shift changes factor weighting — the composite weights Quality and Value at 30% each, so a rotation toward either would move the result most.
The full evidence
Every number behind the verdict. The leader is called above each group so you are not left to solve it from the table.
Technicals
DGRO has the stronger structure| Metric | VIG | DGRO |
|---|---|---|
| RSI (14) | 40.9 | 47.6 |
| ADX (14) | 15 | 20.1 |
| Price vs 50-day | 0.5% | 1.1% |
| Price vs 200-day | 6.3% | 8.3% |
| Volatility (1M, annualized) | 6.8% | 6.8% |
Risk
VIG is the more resilient| Metric | VIG | DGRO |
|---|---|---|
| Beta | 0.65 | 0.47 |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.1 | 1.52 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.68 | 2.34 |
| Max drawdown | -8.3% | -6.9% |
| Current drawdown | -1.4% | -0.5% |
| Annualized volatility | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Value at risk (95%) | -1% | -1% |
Straight answers
Each answer is regenerated from the current snapshot, not written once and left to age.
Which is better, VIG or DGRO?
On the Algovestiq AIQ Score, DGRO is the stronger of the two as of Sep 5, 2026, scoring 58 against VIG's 57. The edge comes from momentum and value. VIG is not without a case — it holds the better risk resilience profile, which matters more if that is the objective you are optimizing for. This is a systematic score, not a recommendation: it ranks the two on the same evidence, it does not know your holding period or tax position.
Is VIG or DGRO the better buy right now?
DGRO carries the stronger systematic profile as of Sep 5, 2026, and the comparison is rated Fragile — 2 of 4 covered evidence groups agree. A Fragile rating means the conclusion is sensitive: the AIQ gap is narrow at 1 points. Treat the lead as provisional.
Why does the AIQ Score favor DGRO over VIG?
The composite weights Quality at 30%, Value at 30%, Momentum at 25% and Risk Resilience at 15%. DGRO leads Momentum by 7 points; VIG leads Risk Resilience by 5 points; DGRO leads Value by 4 points. Where the two split, the factor with the larger weight carries the result.
Which is better value, VIG or DGRO?
DGRO is the better-valued of the two on the peer-relative Value factor. DGRO on the peer-relative Value factor, by 4 points. The Value factor reads valuation relative to sector peers and to the company's own fundamental quality, so it is not the same as simply having the lower multiple.
Which has stronger growth, VIG or DGRO?
Growth figures are not covered for both names. Growth here is measured on reported revenue and earnings, not on forward estimates — it describes what the businesses have delivered, not what the Street expects next.
Which has stronger momentum, VIG or DGRO?
DGRO on the Momentum factor, by 7 points. Momentum carries 25% of the AIQ composite. It has documented persistence over three- to twelve-month horizons, which makes it a timing input rather than a reason to hold something indefinitely.
Which is riskier, VIG or DGRO?
VIG is the more resilient of the two, so the other name carries the higher downside risk. VIG on Risk Resilience, by 5 points. The Risk Resilience factor weights 15% of the composite; position sizing usually responds to it more usefully than the buy/avoid decision does.
Is VIG more profitable than DGRO?
Margin data is not comparable for both names in the current snapshot.
Is DGRO's lead over VIG getting stronger or weaker?
DGRO lead: Stable — the AIQ differential has held near 1 points over 30 sessions. This is measured from 120 daily comparison snapshots between 2026-04-22 and 2026-09-03. The lead has changed hands once in that window, most recently on 2026-08-17, when VIG moved ahead of DGRO.
What would change the VIG vs DGRO verdict?
The result is a state, not a forecast, so it changes when the underlying evidence changes. Concretely: VIG closes the Momentum gap — currently 7 points behind, the largest single contributor to DGRO's edge; VIG's Bollinger Band Squeeze turns directional — it is neutral today and would confirm a change in trend; DGRO's conflicting signal state resolves bearish — it currently carries 4 bullish and 1 bearish rules at once; a regime shift changes factor weighting — the composite weights Quality and Value at 30% each, so a rotation toward either would move the result most.
What do the current signals say about VIG and DGRO?
VIG: 4 bullish / 1 bearish / 2 neutral, conflicted. DGRO: 4 bullish / 1 bearish / 2 neutral, conflicted. A conflicted state means bullish and bearish rules are active on the same name at once — the technical evidence is not pointing one way, and a decision taken on it carries more timing risk. The most decision-relevant rule on VIG is Golden Cross Active (bullish, long horizon). On DGRO it is Golden Cross Active (bullish, long horizon).
Compare VIG and DGRO with others
How this comparison is scored
The Algovestiq AIQ Score composites four factors — Quality (30%), Value (30%), Momentum (25%) and Risk (15%). Sentiment is reported separately as SentimentPulse and is not folded into the composite. Scores refresh every trading day, and this page regenerates from the latest snapshot rather than being written once.
The verdict names a leader, states how broadly six independent evidence groups agree, and rates how durable that conclusion is given the score gap, its recent trajectory and the current signal state on both names.
How to use side-by-side comparison →This comparison is informational and educational, not investment advice. AIQ scores update daily; re-check after earnings, guidance or macro data that materially changes either name’s factor profile.