Dividend Growth Focus: Inside the iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO)

Sonal Goyal

27 October 2026 12:07 AM AEDT

Dividend Growth Focus: Inside the iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO)

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Key Highlights

DGRO had net Assets of $44.47 billion as of 23 October 2026, and the fund's expense ratio is 0.08%.
The fund holds 391 securities and tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index.
The most recent distribution was $0.384996 per share, paid on 18 September 2026.

The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:DGRO) is a dividend-focused Equity fund tracking companies that have grown their payouts. On 23 October 2026 the fund had a NAV of $79.65 and a closing price of $79.65, and net assets stood at $44.47 billion. The NAV moved by -$0.65 (-0.82%) on the day.

The fund seeks to track an index of U.S. stocks with a history of growing their dividends, pairing income with long-term growth. It is listed on NYSE Arca, has traded since 10 June 2014 and pays distributions quarterly. This article sets out its structure, portfolio, costs and risk characteristics.

Fund Snapshot

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF reported a NAV of $79.65 and a closing price of $79.65 on 23 October 2026, a premium/discount of zero. There were 558,350,000 shares outstanding, and the 30-day median bid/ask spread was 0.01%. Daily Volume was 1,363,133 shares, compared with a 30-day average of 1,484,416.

Index and Objective

The fund tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index and is passively managed against it. Its stated aim is to track an index of U.S. stocks with a history of growing their dividends, pairing income with long-term growth. The portfolio held 391 securities as of 23 October 2026. The fund may use exchange-traded Index Futures to offset cash and receivables while tracking its benchmark.

Top Holdings

The ten largest positions in the portfolio were ExxonMobil (3.31%), Apple (3.12%), Microsoft (3.11%), AbbVie (3.00%), Johnson & Johnson (2.73%), JPMorgan Chase (2.66%), Procter & Gamble (2.46%), Broadcom (2.41%), Philip Morris International (2.20%), Home Depot (2.04%). Together they represent 27.04% of the fund.

A Dividend-Growth Screen

DGRO follows an index built from U.S. companies with a record of raising their dividends, and the result is a portfolio that spans energy, technology, health care, financials and consumer staples at the top of the list. The fund reports an equity Beta of 0.67 and a three-year Standard Deviation of 10.45%, both lower than the broad U.S. market funds shown elsewhere in the iShares line-up.

Costs and Distributions

The total expense ratio stated in the prospectus is 0.08%. The fund's most recent distribution had a record and ex-date of 15 September 2026, was payable on 18 September 2026 and totalled $0.384996 per share, all from income. The prior distribution was $0.330603 per share, with a date of 15 June 2026.

Valuation and Risk Characteristics

As of 23 October 2026 the fund's portfolio had a P/E ratio of 25.00 and a P/B ratio of 4.05. As of 30 September 2026 its equity beta was 0.67 and its three-year standard deviation 10.45%. These figures describe the portfolio's valuation and sensitivity to market movements and are not forecasts. The fund states that investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal, and that Diversification does not protect against market risk.

Morningstar Ratings

Morningstar gave the fund an overall rating of 4 stars, rated against 1,055 Large Value funds as of 30 September 2026, and a Bronze Medalist Rating effective 31 August 2026.

Wrapping Up

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) reported 391 holdings, $44.47 billion in net assets and a 0.08% expense ratio as of 23 October 2026.

FAQs

Q: What does iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) track?

A: It tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index.

Q: What is the expense ratio of DGRO?

A: 0.08%.

Q: How many holdings does DGRO have?

A: 391 holdings as of 23 October 2026.

Q: How often does DGRO pay distributions?

A: Quarterly. The latest was $0.384996 per share, payable 18 September 2026.

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