DEM vs. DEW

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

DEM (WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund) and DEW (WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DEM is a Dividend fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Index, while DEW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree Global High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DEM returned 9.13%/yr vs 9.60%/yr for DEW. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DEM charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for DEW.

Performance

DEM vs. DEW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) and WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DEM having a 18.54% return and DEW slightly higher at 18.71%. Over the past 10 years, DEM has underperformed DEW with an annualized return of 9.13%, while DEW has yielded a comparatively higher 9.60% annualized return.

DEM

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 0.07%
• 6M: 10.98%
• YTD: 18.54%
• 1Y: 24.54%
• 3Y*: 17.43%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 9.13%
• ALL TIME*: 4.99%

DEW

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 3.53%
• 6M: 9.21%
• YTD: 18.71%
• 1Y: 28.46%
• 3Y*: 19.74%
• 5Y*: 12.62%
• 10Y*: 9.60%
• ALL TIME*: 6.08%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	$21.83M	$15.09M	$12.97M
DEW WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund	$1.31M	$699.41K	$391.64K

DEM vs. DEW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	18.54%	21.29%	4.46%	20.93%	-10.43%	11.49%	-5.84%	19.84%	-7.69%	26.26%
DEW WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund	18.71%	22.39%	11.58%	9.39%	-2.73%	21.29%	-7.32%	20.45%	-10.58%	15.38%

Correlation

The correlation between DEM and DEW is 0.51, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2007	0.76

Over the past year, the correlation between DEM and DEW has dropped to 0.51 - well below their long-term average of 0.76, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DEM vs. DEW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DEM	DEW
Financial Services	21.9%	25.8%
Technology	17.5%	2.5%
Industrials	8.9%	5.0%
Energy	6.2%	14.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.8%	8.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	3.5%
Basic Materials	3.7%	2.6%
Utilities	3.0%	11.5%
Communication Services	3.0%	4.0%
Real Estate	2.9%	11.7%
Healthcare	0.6%	10.2%

Return for Risk

DEM vs. DEW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DEM

DEM Risk / Return Rank: 65
DEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
DEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
DEM Omega Ratio Rank: 59
DEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
DEM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

DEW

DEW Risk / Return Rank: 94
DEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
DEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
DEW Omega Ratio Rank: 94
DEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DEW Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DEM vs. DEW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) and WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DEM	DEW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	3.01	-1.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	4.26	-1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.55	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.12	4.51	-1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.38	18.23	-8.86

DEM vs. DEW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is lower than the DEW Sharpe Ratio of 3.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEM and DEW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DEM vs. DEW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEM drawdown since its inception was -51.85%, smaller than the maximum DEW drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEM and DEW.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEM	DEW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.85%	-65.55%	+13.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.89%	-6.34%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.64%	-11.80%	-3.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.18%	-18.86%	-8.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.79%	-38.77%	+0.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.36%	-0.76%	-1.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.81%	-12.34%	-0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	1.56%	+1.06%

Volatility

DEM vs. DEW - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) has a higher volatility of 4.62% compared to WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW) at 2.06%. This indicates that DEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DEW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEM	DEW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.62%	2.06%	+2.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.24%	7.20%	+6.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.03%	9.50%	+5.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.62%	12.90%	+2.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.86%	15.37%	+2.49%

DEM vs. DEW - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEM has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than DEW's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEM vs. DEW - Dividend Comparison

DEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.13%, more than DEW's 3.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	4.13%	4.88%	5.24%	5.49%	8.62%	5.87%	4.21%	4.78%	4.47%	3.67%	3.63%	5.21%
DEW WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund	3.13%	3.71%	4.02%	4.55%	3.82%	3.55%	4.10%	3.74%	4.17%	3.18%	3.42%	4.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEM and DEW in my portfolio?

DEM and DEW have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DEM or DEW?

DEM has higher volatility (4.62%) compared to DEW (2.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEM dropped -51.85% vs DEW's -65.55%.

Which ETF is better, DEM or DEW?

On 10-year performance, DEW leads with 9.60% vs 9.13% for DEM. On fees, DEW is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, DEW has been the lower-risk option at 2.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DEM or DEW?

Over the 10-year period, DEW has performed better with a 9.60% return vs 9.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DEM or DEW?

DEW is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for DEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DEM or DEW?

DEM has the higher dividend yield at 4.13%, compared with 3.13% for DEW.

What is the main difference between DEM and DEW?

DEM is categorized as Dividend, while DEW is Large Cap Value Equities. DEM tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Index, while DEW tracks WisdomTree Global High Dividend Index. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for DEM and 0.58% for DEW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.01 vs 1.64), 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.