May 30, 2025
KYP in Action: CI U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF (DGR.B) through the 2025 S&P 500 Drawdown

ETF PULSE
Earlier this month, the S&P 500 briefly entered bear market territory on an intra-day basis (down 20% from peak). We can dissect this drawdown into two distinct phases, each tied to a different market shock:
Phase One: DeepSeek saga—the breaking point of valuation + concentration risk
Phase Two: “Liberation Day” announcement, beginning April 2nd—an exogenous, broad-based macro shock
This distinction matters. Exogenous shocks tend to trigger broad, indiscriminate drawdowns, but just as often, their resolution leads to equally sharp, indiscriminate recoveries. Let’s take a closer look at each phase and show how DGR.B has responded.
1. Phase One: DeepSeek and the Breaking Point of Valuation + Concentration Risk
The S&P 500 entered 2025 with peak valuation and peak concentration risks—the two risks DGR is designed to avoid. This fragile setup cracked with the DeepSeek saga, triggering the S&P 500’s worst quarter since 2022 (down more than 4.2%).
Q1 2025 became an ideal real-time moment to see DGR.B’s process in action. The table below shows every single S&P 500 down day during the quarter.
2025- 01-07 | 2025- 01-10 | 2025- 01-14 | 2025- 01-24 | 2025- 01-27 | 2025- 01-29 | 2025- 01-31 | 2025- 02-03 | 2025- 02-04 | 2025- 02-07 | 2025- 02-11 | 2025- 02-12 | 2025- 02-14 | 2025- 02-20 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGR.B | -0.34 | -0.99 | -0.02 | -0.43 | 0.09 | -0.03 | -0.50 | -0.34 | -1.47 | -1.00 | 0.17 | -0.59 | -0.39 | -0.45 |
S&P 500 TR CAD | -1.23 | -1.27 | -0.35 | -0.64 | -1.07 | -0.12 | 0.00 | -0.13 | -0.96 | -1.02 | -0.02 | -0.39 | -0.37 | -0.63 |
Relative Performance | 0.88 | 0.28 | 0.33 | 0.21 | 1.16 | 0.08 | -0.50 | -0.21 | -0.50 | 0.02 | 0.19 | -0.20 | -0.02 | 0.18 |
2025- 02-21 | 2025- 02-24 | 2025- 02-25 | 2025- 02-27 | 2025- 03-03 | 2025- 03-04 | 2025- 03-06 | 2025- 03-10 | 2025- 03-11 | 2025- 03-13 | 2025- 03-18 | 2025- 03-20 | 2025- 03-26 | 2025- 03-28 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGR.B | -0.93 | 0.10 | 0.54 | -0.13 | -1.11 | -1.52 | -0.97 | -1.24 | -1.71 | -0.68 | -0.71 | -0.30 | -0.18 | -1.49 |
S&P 500 TR CAD | -1.61 | -0.25 | -0.07 | -1.04 | -1.78 | -0.55 | -2.65 | -2.22 | -0.53 | -1.39 | -0.97 | -0.22 | -1.48 | -2.23 |
Relative Performance | 0.68 | 0.35 | 0.61 | 0.91 | 0.67 | -0.97 | 1.68 | 0.97 | -1.19 | 0.71 | 0.26 | -0.08 | 1.30 | 0.74 |
Outperformance in 71.4% of down days in the S&P 500 for Q1 2025
Cumulative outperformance of 8.54%
Source: Morningstar Direct, as at March 31, 2025. All performance comparisons are in CAD.
There were a total of 28 down days. DGR.B outperformed in 71.4% of those down days (or 20 days out of 28). DGR.B delivered a cumulative outperformance of 8.54% during the down days. Over the full Phase One period, the S&P 500 declined -4.20%, while DGR.B held up with a decline of -0.98% (an outperformance of +3.22%).
2. Phase Two: “Liberation Day” Announcement—Beginning April 2
The second leg of the drawdown was triggered by a broad, exogenous macro shock which, like the early days of COVID-19, hit nearly every asset class indiscriminately. No strategy is immune to shocks of this scale. But historically, DGR.B has shown resilience and quicker recoveries.
A useful reference is the 2020 COVID drawdown (left-hand side of Chart 1), where DGR.B fell with the market but recovered efficiently— as shown on the right-hand side, where it has consistently kept up with most of the upside during rebounds.
CHART 1
CHART 2
Source: Morningstar Direct., as at April 08, 2025.
Upside downside capture analysis does not include 2025 drawdown, as full recovery of this drawdown is yet to be seen.
3. Ending Thoughts: Year-To-Date Performance
The framing above was important in order to showcase the comparison table below. We’re still drawing down less than the S&P 500 over the tariff shock (1 month) but the outperformance gets amplified once the “DeepSeek episode” gets captured as well (2 months, YTD).
Name | 1M | 2M | YTD |
---|---|---|---|
S&P 500 TR (CAD) | -9.55 | -15.21 | -13.04 |
CI U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF | -8.50 | -12.23 | -10.38 |
Relative Performance | 1.05 | 2.99 | 2.66 |
Source: Morningstar Direct, as at April 16, 2025. Performance in CAD.
STANDARD PERFORMANCE
Name | 1 year | 3 year | 5 year | Since Inception |
---|---|---|---|---|
S&P 500 TR (CAD) | 12.70 | 15.12 | 15.48 | 14.11 |
CI U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF | 8.04 | 12.64 | 14.03 | 12.91 |
Source: Morningstar Direct, as at April 30, 2025. Performance in CAD.
As we look ahead, there remains elevated uncertainty and concentration risk in the markets. The CI U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index Fund (DGR.B | DGR | DGR.U) is a low-cost, rules-based strategy that provides an effective way to navigate the U.S. equity market by investing in high-quality, dividend-paying companies with a focus on quality and growth.
Materials:
To access a shareable version of this article click here.
About the Author
Adam Bahram is the Director of ETF Strategy at CI GAM, where he plays a key role in driving the growth of the ETF business across Canada. In this role, Adam is responsible for setting and executing the ETF sales strategy as well as supporting the ETF sales team.
Adam brings extensive experience in buy-side research analysis, asset allocation and portfolio management. Prior to joining CI GAM, he served as an Associate Client Portfolio Manager on the Asset Allocation team at TD Asset Management, where he developed expertise in constructing and managing investment strategies. Adam also has experience serving on the investment committee of a wealth management firm.
Adam holds a Master of Finance from the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University and is a CFA charter holder.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS
Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units of an ETF on recognized Canadian exchanges. If the units are purchased or sold on these Canadian exchanges, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units of the ETF and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. Please read the prospectus before investing. Important information about an exchange-traded fund is contained in its prospectus. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns net of fees and expenses payable by the fund (except for figures of one year or less, which are simple total returns) including changes in security value and reinvestment of all dividends/distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. ETFs are not guaranteed; their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Returns of the Index do not represent the ETF’s returns. An investor cannot invest directly in the Index. Performance of the ETF is expected to be lower than the performance of the Index.
CI Liquid Alternative investment funds have the ability to invest in asset classes or use investment strategies that are not permitted for conventional mutual funds. The specific strategies that differentiate these investment funds from conventional fund structure include increased use of derivatives for hedging and non-hedging purposes; increased ability to sell securities short; and the ability to borrow cash to use for investment purposes. While these strategies will be used in accordance with the investment funds’ investment objectives and strategies, during certain market conditions they may accelerate the pace at which your investment decreases in value.
This document is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal, legal, accounting, tax or investment advice, or construed as an endorsement or recommendation of any entity or security discussed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the material contained in this document is accurate at the time of publication. Market conditions may change which may impact the information contained in this document. All charts and illustrations in this document are for illustrative purposes only. They are not intended to predict or project investment results. Individuals should seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding any particular investment. Investors should consult their professional advisors prior to implementing any changes to their investment strategies.
Certain statements in this document are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements (“FLS”) are statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” or “estimate,” or other similar expressions. Statements that look forward in time or include anything other than historical information are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results, actions or events could differ materially from those set forth in the FLS. FLS are not guarantees of future performance and are by their nature based on numerous assumptions. Although the FLS contained herein are based upon what CI Global Asset Management and the portfolio manager believe to be reasonable assumptions, neither CI Global Asset Management nor the portfolio manager can assure that actual results will be consistent with these FLS. The reader is cautioned to consider the FLS carefully and not to place undue reliance on FLS. Unless required by applicable law, it is not undertaken, and specifically disclaimed that there is any intention or obligation to update or revise FLS, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The comparison presented is intended to illustrate the mutual fund’s historical performance as compared with the historical performance of widely quoted market indices or a weighted blend of widely quoted market indices or another investment fund. There are various important differences that may exist between the mutual fund and the stated indices or investment fund, that may affect the performance of each. The objectives and strategies of the mutual fund result in holdings that do not necessarily reflect the constituents of and their weights within the comparable indices or investment fund. Indices are unmanaged and their returns do not include any sales charges or fees. It is not possible to invest directly in market indices.
Certain names, words, titles, phrases, logos, icons, graphics, or designs in this document may constitute trade names, registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of CI Investments Inc., its subsidiaries, or affiliates, used with permission. All other marks are the property of their respective owners and are used with permission.
Certain statements contained in this communication are based in whole or in part on information provided by third parties and CI Global Asset Management has taken reasonable steps to ensure their accuracy. Market conditions may change which may impact the information contained in this document.
©2025 Morningstar Research Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete, or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The “Growth of $ 10,000 invested” chart shows the final value of a hypothetical $ 10,000 investment in securities in the specified class of the fund as at the end of the investment period indicated and is not intended to reflect future values or returns on investment in such securities.
CI Global Asset Management is licensed by WisdomTree Inc. to use certain WisdomTree indexes (the “WisdomTree Indexes”) and WisdomTree marks.
“WisdomTree®” and “Variably Hedged®” are registered trademarks of WisdomTree Inc. and WisdomTree Inc. has patent applications pending on the methodology and operation of its indexes. The ETFs referring to such indexes (the “WT Licensee Products”) are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by WisdomTree Inc., or its affiliates (“WisdomTree”). WisdomTree makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, and shall have no liability regarding the advisability, legality (including the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and disclosures relating to the WT Licensee Products) or suitability of investing in or purchasing securities or other financial instruments or products generally, or of the WT Licensee Products in particular (including, without limitation, the failure of the WT Licensee Products to achieve their investment objectives) or regarding use of such indexes or any data included therein.