What does the expense ratio mean for ETFs?

The expense ratio is the annual fee charged by a fund to cover operating costs. A lower ratio can benefit long-term investors because more returns are kept in the fund. The provided data does not include expense ratio figures for the compared ETFs, so it is not available for comparison here.

How does a fund’s index affect investors?

An index tracks a specific basket of investments to represent a segment of the market. If a fund aims to match its index, investors can infer the exposure and risk profile. The provided data does not include index names for either ETF, so this detail is not available for comparison here.

Why are inception dates useful for ETF comparisons?

An inception date indicates how long a fund has operated. Longer histories can provide more observed behaviour, but do not guarantee future performance. The provided data does not include inception dates for the ETFs, so this information is not available for comparison here.

Which fund provides greater income potential?

Income potential is often assessed using a fund’s distribution yield. DGRO lists a dividend yield of 1.94%, whereas QQQ lists a dividend yield of 0.41%. Based on these figures, DGRO provides a higher yield than QQQ.

Do these ETFs hold any of the same companies?

Yes. The provided top holdings data shows DGRO and QQQ share the exact same top 10 companies. The identical list includes NVDA, AAPL, MSFT, MU, AMZN, AMD, GOOGL, META, GOOG, and TSLA. This overlap indicates highly similar concentration at the top.

What is a top holdings list?

A top holdings list shows the companies with the largest weights in a fund. It helps investors see how much exposure is concentrated in a small number of names. The provided data includes top holdings for both ETFs, allowing investors to compare concentration levels between DGRO and QQQ.

How large is each fund?

Fund size is measured by net assets, which represents the total value of the holdings. Larger funds often feature higher trading volume and potentially lower trading costs. The provided data does not include net assets for either ETF, so this information is not available for comparison here.

What role does sector diversification play?

Sector diversification reduces reliance on any one part of the economy. Investors usually look at sector weightings to judge whether a fund leans toward technology, healthcare, or other sectors. The provided data does not include sector weights, so this information is not available for comparison here.

What does a dividend yield measure?

A dividend yield shows annual distributions relative to the fund’s price. It helps investors assess income in percentage terms. DGRO lists a dividend yield of 1.94%, while QQQ lists 0.41%, meaning DGRO has the higher yield based on the provided data.

Why are fees and yield important in comparisons?

Fees and yield both influence investor outcomes. Fees reduce returns over time, while yield adds to income potential. The provided data does not include expense ratios for these ETFs, so fee comparisons are not available; however, DGRO’s 1.94% yield versus QQQ’s 0.41% yield is listed.

DGRO vs QQQ

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) and Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ). This page contrasts fees, holdings, dividends and how each fund tracks its market, using only the provided data. Expense ratios: DGRO 0.08%, QQQ 0.18%. Dividend yields: DGRO 1.94%, QQQ 0.41%. Index tracked: not available for both. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

DGRO

Metric

QQQ

0.08%

Expense Ratio

0.18%

1.94%

Dividend Yield

0.41%

$42.93B

Net Assets

$484.28B

396

Holdings

104

Jun 10, 2014

Inception Date

Mar 10, 1999

–

Index Tracked

–

Large Value

Fund Category

Large Growth

DGRO costs about $10.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

Holding	DGRO	QQQ
AAPLApple Inc.	3.12%	7.82%
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation	3.03%	5.81%

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DGRO vs MGV

Compare DGRO and MGV. Analyse fees, yields and holdings. DGRO has 0.08% expense ratio, 1.94% yield. MGV has 0.05% expense ratio, 1.85% yield for research.

DGRO vs HDV

Compare DGRO and HDV on fees, holdings and dividends. Review expense ratios, net assets and top companies to understand fund construction and tracking.

Investment Analysis

DGRO

Pros

DGRo boasts a low expense ratio of 0.08%, making it a cost-efficient vehicle for long-term dividend-focused investors.
With net assets reaching $42.9 billion, the fund offers substantial liquidity and operational stability for large-scale trading.
DGRO provides a moderate dividend yield of 1.94%, which is significantly higher than comparable growth-oriented funds.

Considerations

DGRO's top holdings concentration remains relatively low, with the largest position at 3.12%, which may limit targeted exposure.
The fund's dividend yield of 1.94% is lower than many traditional high-dividend equity ETFs currently available in the market.
As a Large Value category fund, DGRO may underperform during periods when growth stocks experience significant market outperformance.

QQQ

Pros

QQQ is a massive fund with $484.3 billion in net assets, ensuring excellent liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads for traders.
It has a long operational history since its inception in 1999, providing a deep track record of tracking the Nasdaq-100.
QQQ offers concentrated exposure to high-growth technology giants, with its top three holdings comprising over 22% of the portfolio.

Considerations

The fund carries a higher expense ratio of 0.18% compared to lower-cost value alternatives like DGRO's 0.08%.
QQQ's dividend yield is minimal at 0.41%, making it unsuitable for income-focused investors seeking regular cash payments.
Significant concentration in top holdings, with NVDA and AAPL exceeding 8% each, increases idiosyncratic stock-specific risk exposure.

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About DGRO and QQQ

DGRO (DGRO)

The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) is designed to provide investors with exposure to US companies that have a history of increasing their dividend payouts. This fund targets large-cap equities with sustainable dividend growth strategies rather than just high current yields. With an attractive low expense ratio of 0.08% and substantial net assets of USD 42.93 billion, it offers broad diversification across 396 holdings. The fund’s focus on large value stocks aims to balance income potential with capital appreciation opportunities. Investors should note that while the current dividend yield is approximately 1.94%, payouts are not guaranteed and can fluctuate based on company performance and market conditions. As with any equity investment, the value of shares can rise and fall, meaning returns are not assured. It serves as a general educational example for those interested in dividend-growth strategies within the broader market.

QQQ (QQQ)

Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ) is a widely traded exchange‑traded fund that seeks to track the Nasdaq‑100 Index, offering concentrated exposure to large non‑financial companies listed on the Nasdaq — think technology, consumer and biotech leaders. It provides a convenient way to gain growth-oriented exposure to a basket of big-cap, often high-growth names, with intraday liquidity like a stock. Investors should know QQQ is relatively concentrated in a handful of large issuers and sectors, which can amplify both upside and downside versus broader-market funds. It pays modest dividends and typically has higher volatility than diversified market-cap indices. As with any ETF, past performance does not predict future returns; values can fall as well as rise. This content is educational and not personalised advice — consider your risk tolerance, investment horizon and diversification needs before investing, and consult a regulated adviser for tailored guidance.

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DGRO vs QQQ

Fund Snapshot