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WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW): Complete Beginner's Guide

Last updated: March 2026WisdomTree Dividend Growth

Expense Ratio

0.28%

AUM

$12.0B

Dividend Yield

1.60%

Inception

2013

Beginner Score

9/10

What is WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund?

DGRW selects U.S. dividend-paying companies based on a combination of expected earnings growth, return on equity, and return on assets, focusing on quality growth rather than high current yield. It is rebalanced annually and screens for dividend-paying companies with the best forward-looking growth characteristics. Beginners who want a quality-screened dividend fund that emphasizes future potential over past payouts will appreciate DGRW's forward-looking methodology.

DGRW is managed by WisdomTree and has been available since 2013. With $12.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.28%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $28 per year in management fees.

DGRW at a Glance — Key Metrics

Expense Ratio0.28%
Total Holdings300
P/E Ratio22.5
Beta0.92
Dividend Yield1.60%
AUM$12.0B
Inception Year2013
IssuerWisdomTree

Top 10 Holdings in DGRW

DGRW holds 300 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:

#CompanyTickerWeight
1Microsoft Corp.MSFT6.50%
2Apple Inc.AAPL5.50%
3Broadcom Inc.AVGO4.00%
4Johnson & JohnsonJNJ3.20%
5Abbvie Inc.ABBV2.80%
6Procter & Gamble Co.PG2.50%
7Coca-Cola Co.KO2.20%
8Cisco Systems Inc.CSCO2.00%
9Merck & Co.MRK1.80%
10PepsiCo Inc.PEP1.60%

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DGRW Performance History

Here's how DGRW has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:

YTD

3.00%

1 Year

23.80%

3 Year

10.20%

5 Year

13.50%

10 Year

12.20%

Beginner Suitability Score: 9/10

Great for Beginners

Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.

DGRW scores 9/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 300 holdings, and has been available since 2013, giving it a proven track record.

How to Buy DGRW — Step by Step

  1. Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
  2. Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
  3. Search for "DGRW" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund.
  4. Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
  5. Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.

Dollar Cost Averaging Into DGRW

Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):

Monthly10 Years20 Years30 Years
$100/mo$18,417$59,295$150,030
$250/mo$46,041$148,237$375,074
$500/mo$92,083$296,474$750,148

*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

Fee impact: With DGRW's expense ratio of 0.28%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $2,358 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.

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Pros and Cons of DGRW

Pros

  • Forward-looking growth screens identify companies with strong future dividend potential
  • Quality filters based on ROE and ROA help avoid dividend traps
  • Higher tech exposure than traditional dividend funds captures growth trends
  • Broad portfolio of 300 holdings provides solid diversification

Cons

  • Higher expense ratio of 0.28% compared to basic dividend index ETFs
  • Lower current yield than high-dividend or yield-weighted alternatives
  • Active screening methodology may not always outperform simpler dividend indexes

DGRW vs Similar ETFs

See how DGRW stacks up against similar funds:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DGRW a good ETF for beginners?

DGRW has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.

What is the expense ratio of DGRW?

DGRW has an expense ratio of 0.28%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $28 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.

How much money do I need to invest in DGRW?

You can invest in DGRW with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.

Does DGRW pay dividends?

Yes, DGRW pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 1.60%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.

What are the top holdings in DGRW?

The top holdings in DGRW include Microsoft Corp. (6.50%), Apple Inc. (5.50%), Broadcom Inc. (4.00%), and more. The fund holds 300 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.