Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
DGRO vs SDY
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF versus State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
DGRO wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SDY can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | DGRO | SDY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.95% | 2.33% | SDY wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | Tie |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 8.00% | 35.00% | DGRO wins |
| Scale | $41.2B | $22.1B | DGRO wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 1 wins | DGRO wins |
Dimension by dimension
SDY wins on yield (2.33% vs 1.95%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $38 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
SDY's higher yield (2.33%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus DGRO's 1.95% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
Safety scores are too close to call (7.6/10 vs 7.6/10)
Both score within 0.3 points on our 0-10 dividend safety scale — comparable risk profiles on the signals we measure.
Yield-trend comparison unavailable
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
DGRO is cheaper (8.00% vs 35.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $2700/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
On $10,000 invested, DGRO's lower expense ratio saves roughly $27/year in fees versus SDY. Over 20 years that compounds to a meaningful drag — expense ratios are one of the few costs investors fully control.
DGRO is 1.9× larger by AUM
Larger funds tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
Which is better for income, DGRO or SDY?
DGRO wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SDY can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
DGRO vs SDY: which has a higher dividend yield?
DGRO yields 1.95% and SDY yields 2.33%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $38 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is DGRO or SDY a safer dividend in 2026?
DGRO scores 7.6/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. SDY scores 7.6/10 (Solid). Both have comparable safety scores.
Which has better dividend growth, DGRO or SDY?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
DGRO vs SDY: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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