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DES vs. AVUV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DES vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. DES is passively managed, while AVUV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DES returned 7.19%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for AVUV. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

DES vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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 19.31% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 20.76% return.

DES

1D
0.66%
1M
3.24%
YTD
19.31%
6M
18.13%
1Y
28.95%
3Y*
15.80%
5Y*
7.19%
10Y*
8.55%

AVUV

1D
0.00%
1M
2.33%
YTD
20.76%
6M
18.72%
1Y
38.38%
3Y*
20.03%
5Y*
11.59%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DES vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		19.31%0.25%9.93%16.50%-10.96%26.51%-4.26%5.50%
AVUV
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF		20.76%7.44%9.28%22.82%-4.91%42.20%6.43%8.54%

Correlation

The correlation between DES and AVUV is 0.94, 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

0.94

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

0.96

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

0.95

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019

0.96

The correlation between DES and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

DES vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DES
AVUV

Financial Services

24.8%
26.1%

Consumer Cyclical

16.0%
18.7%

Industrials

13.4%
13.6%

Energy

10.2%
15.8%

Real Estate

10.1%
0.7%

Basic Materials

6.3%
5.1%

Technology

6.0%
7.4%

Utilities

4.2%
0.1%

Consumer Defensive

4.1%
4.7%

Communication Services

2.8%
3.1%

Healthcare

2.0%
4.8%

Financial Services

DES
24.8%
AVUV
26.1%

Consumer Cyclical

DES
16.0%
AVUV
18.7%

Industrials

DES
13.4%
AVUV
13.6%

Energy

DES
10.2%
AVUV
15.8%

Real Estate

DES
10.1%
AVUV
0.7%

Basic Materials

DES
6.3%
AVUV
5.1%

Technology

DES
6.0%
AVUV
7.4%

Utilities

DES
4.2%
AVUV
0.1%

Consumer Defensive

DES
4.1%
AVUV
4.7%

Communication Services

DES
2.8%
AVUV
3.1%

Healthcare

DES
2.0%
AVUV
4.8%

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 US Small Cap Value ETF

Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VBRDES vs. VXUSDES vs. RWJ
Often compared with AVUV:
AVUV vs. VBRAVUV vs. VTIAVUV vs. IWMAVUV vs. IJRAVUV vs. DFSVAVUV vs. VIOVAVUV vs. AVUVX

Return for Risk

DES vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DES
DES Risk / Return Rank: 6161
Overall Rank
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 6363
Martin Ratio Rank
AVUV
AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 7373
Sortino Ratio Rank
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 7777
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. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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.

DESAVUVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.77
2.19

-0.41

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.64
3.13

-0.48

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.38

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.80

4.85

-1.04

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.90

14.37

-3.47

DES vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DES Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DES and AVUV, 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. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DES drawdown since its inception was -65.48%, which is greater than AVUV's maximum drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DES and AVUV.

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Drawdown Indicators

DESAVUVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.48%

-49.42%

-16.06%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.64%

-7.95%

+0.31%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.16%

-28.79%

+3.63%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.16%

-28.79%

+3.63%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.65%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.97%

-1.61%

+0.64%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.66%

-7.89%

-1.77%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.66%

2.68%

-0.02%

Volatility

DES vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) is 3.95%, while Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) has a volatility of 4.28%. This indicates that DES experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DESAVUVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.95%

4.28%

-0.33%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.12%

11.39%

-0.27%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.45%

17.63%

-1.18%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.52%

22.65%

-3.13%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.96%

28.22%

-6.26%

DES vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

DES vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

DES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, more than AVUV's 1.63% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AVUV
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF		1.63%1.58%1.61%1.65%1.74%1.28%1.21%0.38%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		2.31%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

With a correlation of 0.94, DES and AVUV move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

AVUV has higher volatility (4.28%) compared to DES (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DES dropped -65.48% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

On 5-year performance, AVUV leads with 11.59% vs 7.19% for DES. On fees, AVUV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, DES has been the lower-risk option at 3.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, AVUV has performed better with a 11.59% return vs 7.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

AVUV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DES.

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 1.63% for AVUV.

DES is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while AVUV is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DES and 0.25% for AVUV.

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.77), 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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