AVSE vs. DGS
AVSE (Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds - AVSE tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Index while DGS tracks the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSE returned 25.55%/yr vs 16.17%/yr for DGS. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVSE charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for DGS.
Performance
AVSE vs. DGS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AVSE achieves a 26.92% return, which is significantly higher than DGS's 14.53% return.
AVSE
- 1D
- -1.45%
- 1M
- 9.75%
- YTD
- 26.92%
- 6M
- 28.98%
- 1Y
- 52.22%
- 3Y*
- 25.55%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
DGS
- 1D
- -1.37%
- 1M
- 2.58%
- YTD
- 14.53%
- 6M
- 15.57%
- 1Y
- 27.26%
- 3Y*
- 16.17%
- 5Y*
- 7.85%
- 10Y*
- 9.93%
AVSE vs. DGS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVSE Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 26.92% | 32.54% | 8.29% | 16.01% | -13.85% |
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 14.53% | 21.18% | 1.13% | 19.08% | -13.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between AVSE and DGS is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2022 | 0.91 |
The correlation between AVSE and DGS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
AVSE vs. DGS — Risk / Return Rank
AVSE
DGS
AVSE vs. DGS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) and WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| AVSE | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.93 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.32 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.70 | 2.72 | +0.98 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.74 | 9.16 | +5.58 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| AVSE | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.69 | 1.76 | +0.93 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.53 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.58 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.86 | 0.23 | +0.63 |
Drawdowns
AVSE vs. DGS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AVSE drawdown since its inception was -26.28%, smaller than the maximum DGS drawdown of -61.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSE and DGS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AVSE | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -26.28% | -61.83% | +35.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.17% | -10.06% | -4.11% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.68% | -19.31% | +1.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -24.86% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.08% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.45% | -1.40% | -0.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.82% | -12.59% | +5.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.55% | 2.98% | +0.57% |
Volatility
AVSE vs. DGS - Volatility Comparison
Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) has a higher volatility of 8.65% compared to WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) at 5.24%. This indicates that AVSE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AVSE | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.65% | 5.24% | +3.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.79% | 13.03% | +3.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.53% | 15.56% | +3.97% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.03% | 14.87% | +3.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.03% | 17.32% | +0.71% |
AVSE vs. DGS - Expense Ratio Comparison
AVSE has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than DGS's 0.58% expense ratio.
Dividends
AVSE vs. DGS - Dividend Comparison
AVSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, less than DGS's 3.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVSE Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 2.18% | 2.68% | 3.03% | 3.20% | 1.27% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 3.21% | 3.45% | 3.36% | 4.55% | 5.34% | 3.98% | 3.69% | 3.95% | 4.24% | 2.81% | 3.42% | 3.28% |
Frequently Asked Questions
AVSE and DGS have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AVSE has higher volatility (8.65%) compared to DGS (5.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSE dropped -26.28% vs DGS's -61.83%.
On 3-year performance, AVSE leads with 25.55% vs 16.17% for DGS. On fees, AVSE is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, DGS has been the lower-risk option at 5.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, AVSE has performed better with a 25.55% return vs 16.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
AVSE is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DGS.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.21%, compared with 2.18% for AVSE.
AVSE tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index, while DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for AVSE and 0.58% for DGS.
AVSE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 1.76), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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