DEM vs. USFR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DEM (WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund) and USFR (WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity income Index, while USFR is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DEM returned 10.45%/yr vs 2.47%/yr for USFR. At a correlation of -0.00, they often move in opposite directions. DEM charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USFR.

Performance

DEM vs. USFR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DEM achieves a 19.97% return, which is significantly higher than USFR's 1.60% return. Over the past 10 years, DEM has outperformed USFR with an annualized return of 10.45%, while USFR has yielded a comparatively lower 2.47% annualized return.

DEM

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: 6.63%
• YTD: 19.97%
• 6M: 20.75%
• 1Y: 32.23%
• 3Y*: 19.32%
• 5Y*: 9.57%
• 10Y*: 10.45%

USFR

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.60%
• 6M: 1.98%
• 1Y: 4.03%
• 3Y*: 4.76%
• 5Y*: 3.66%
• 10Y*: 2.47%

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

DEM vs. USFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	19.97%	21.29%	4.46%	20.93%	-10.43%	11.49%	-5.84%	19.84%	-7.69%	26.26%
USFR WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund	1.60%	4.23%	5.47%	5.18%	1.98%	-0.03%	0.56%	2.02%	2.01%	1.03%

Correlation

The correlation between DEM and USFR is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2014	-0.00

The correlation between DEM and USFR shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to -0.00 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DEM vs. USFR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DEM

DEM Risk / Return Rank: 74
DEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
DEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
DEM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
DEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
DEM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

USFR

USFR Risk / Return Rank: 100
USFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
USFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
USFR Omega Ratio Rank: 100
USFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
USFR Martin Ratio Rank: 100

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DEM vs. USFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) and WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund (USFR). 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.

	DEM	USFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	15.11	-12.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	50.64	-47.36
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	13.43	-12.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.10	203.42	-199.32
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.52	787.84	-773.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DEM vs. USFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is lower than the USFR Sharpe Ratio of 15.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEM and USFR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DEM	USFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	15.11	-12.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	9.26	-8.63
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	3.07	-2.49
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	1.60	-1.38

Drawdowns

DEM vs. USFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEM drawdown since its inception was -51.85%, which is greater than USFR's maximum drawdown of -1.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEM and USFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEM	USFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.85%	-1.36%	-50.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.89%	-0.02%	-7.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.64%	-0.06%	-15.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.18%	-0.18%	-27.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.79%	-0.80%	-36.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.19%	0.00%	-1.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.90%	-0.16%	-12.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	0.01%	+2.21%

Volatility

DEM vs. USFR - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) has a higher volatility of 5.64% compared to WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund (USFR) at 0.06%. This indicates that DEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEM	USFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.64%	0.06%	+5.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.33%	0.18%	+11.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.59%	0.27%	+13.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.33%	0.40%	+14.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	0.81%	+17.15%

DEM vs. USFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEM has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than USFR's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEM vs. USFR - Dividend Comparison

DEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.76%, less than USFR's 3.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	3.76%	4.88%	5.24%	5.49%	8.62%	5.87%	4.21%	4.78%	4.47%	3.67%	3.63%	5.21%
USFR WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund	3.91%	4.15%	5.17%	5.12%	1.78%	0.01%	0.40%	2.08%	1.67%	1.03%	0.29%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEM and USFR in my portfolio?

DEM and USFR have a correlation of -0.12, 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 USFR?

DEM has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to USFR (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEM dropped -51.85% vs USFR's -1.36%.

Which ETF is better, DEM or USFR?

On 10-year performance, DEM leads with 10.45% vs 2.47% for USFR. On fees, USFR is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, USFR has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DEM or USFR?

Over the 10-year period, DEM has performed better with a 10.45% return vs 2.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DEM or USFR?

USFR is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for DEM.

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

USFR has the higher dividend yield at 3.91%, compared with 3.76% for DEM.

What is the main difference between DEM and USFR?

DEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while USFR is Government Bonds. DEM tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity income Index, while USFR tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for DEM and 0.15% for USFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (15.11 vs 2.38), 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.