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DES vs. AVEM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DES vs. AVEM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) and AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while AVEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. DES is passively managed, while AVEM is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DES returned 6.81%/yr vs 9.66%/yr for AVEM. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AVEM.

Performance

DES vs. AVEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DES achieves a 20.48% return, which is significantly lower than AVEM's 25.08% return.

DES

1D
0.98%
1M
5.05%
YTD
20.48%
6M
17.29%
1Y
31.80%
3Y*
14.46%
5Y*
6.81%
10Y*
8.59%

AVEM

1D
0.42%
1M
1.30%
YTD
25.08%
6M
27.86%
1Y
47.18%
3Y*
24.04%
5Y*
9.66%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DES vs. AVEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		20.48%0.25%9.93%16.50%-10.96%26.51%-4.26%5.28%
AVEM
Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF		25.08%34.48%7.49%15.30%-18.15%5.16%14.39%10.40%

Correlation

The correlation between DES and AVEM is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.46

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.49

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.52

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 19, 2019

0.53

The correlation between DES and AVEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

DES vs. AVEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DES
AVEM

Financial Services

23.7%
20.7%

Consumer Cyclical

14.8%
9.2%

Industrials

13.3%
9.2%

Energy

10.7%
5.1%

Real Estate

9.6%
1.6%

Basic Materials

6.0%
8.1%

Technology

5.5%
32.3%

Utilities

4.6%
2.6%

Consumer Defensive

4.3%
3.1%

Communication Services

2.8%
5.4%

Healthcare

1.7%
2.8%

Financial Services

DES
23.7%
AVEM
20.7%

Consumer Cyclical

DES
14.8%
AVEM
9.2%

Industrials

DES
13.3%
AVEM
9.2%

Energy

DES
10.7%
AVEM
5.1%

Real Estate

DES
9.6%
AVEM
1.6%

Basic Materials

DES
6.0%
AVEM
8.1%

Technology

DES
5.5%
AVEM
32.3%

Utilities

DES
4.6%
AVEM
2.6%

Consumer Defensive

DES
4.3%
AVEM
3.1%

Communication Services

DES
2.8%
AVEM
5.4%

Healthcare

DES
1.7%
AVEM
2.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund

Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF

Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. AVUVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VBRDES vs. VXUS
Often compared with AVEM:
AVEM vs. AVESAVEM vs. VWOAVEM vs. EIMI.LAVEM vs. AVDEAVEM vs. VXUSAVEM vs. DFAEAVEM vs. FNDE

Return for Risk

DES vs. AVEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DES
DES Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 8383
Calmar Ratio Rank
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 6969
Martin Ratio Rank
AVEM
AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 7777
Overall Rank
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7878
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7272
Sortino Ratio Rank
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

DES vs. AVEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). 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.

DESAVEMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.79
2.15

-0.35

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.66
2.78

-0.12

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.40

-0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.87

3.46

+0.41

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.13

13.15

-2.03

DES vs. AVEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DES Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the AVEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DES and AVEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

DES vs. AVEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DES drawdown since its inception was -65.48%, which is greater than AVEM's maximum drawdown of -36.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DES and AVEM.

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Drawdown Indicators

DESAVEMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.48%

-36.05%

-29.43%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.64%

-13.13%

+5.49%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.16%

-18.02%

-7.14%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.16%

-33.88%

+8.72%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.65%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-3.33%

+3.33%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.67%

-10.07%

+0.40%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.66%

3.45%

-0.79%

Volatility

DES vs. AVEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) is 4.28%, while Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) has a volatility of 10.91%. This indicates that DES experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DESAVEMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.28%

10.91%

-6.63%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.97%

18.79%

-7.82%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.48%

21.17%

-4.69%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.58%

18.71%

+0.87%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.97%

20.76%

+1.21%

DES vs. AVEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than AVEM's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

DES vs. AVEM - Dividend Comparison

DES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.29%, less than AVEM's 2.59% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AVEM
Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF		2.59%2.45%3.17%3.06%2.77%2.61%1.60%0.35%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		2.29%2.85%2.81%2.65%2.89%2.31%2.75%2.68%3.65%2.89%2.70%3.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

DES and AVEM have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

AVEM has higher volatility (10.91%) compared to DES (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DES dropped -65.48% vs AVEM's -36.05%.

On 5-year performance, AVEM leads with 9.66% vs 6.81% for DES. On fees, AVEM is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, DES has been the lower-risk option at 4.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, AVEM has performed better with a 9.66% return vs 6.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

AVEM is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DES.

AVEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.59%, compared with 2.29% for DES.

DES is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while AVEM is Emerging Markets Equities. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DES and 0.33% for AVEM.

AVEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.79), 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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