DES vs. DGRW

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) and DGRW (WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while DGRW is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DES returned 8.17%/yr vs 14.25%/yr for DGRW. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for DGRW.

Performance

DES vs. DGRW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DES achieves a 16.63% return, which is significantly higher than DGRW's 10.01% return. Over the past 10 years, DES has underperformed DGRW with an annualized return of 8.17%, while DGRW has yielded a comparatively higher 14.25% annualized return.

DES

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 16.63%
• 6M: 17.07%
• 1Y: 28.87%
• 3Y*: 14.65%
• 5Y*: 6.21%
• 10Y*: 8.17%

DGRW

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 4.42%
• YTD: 10.01%
• 6M: 10.12%
• 1Y: 22.57%
• 3Y*: 16.97%
• 5Y*: 12.52%
• 10Y*: 14.25%

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

DES vs. DGRW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	16.63%	0.25%	9.93%	16.50%	-10.96%	26.51%	-4.26%	20.26%	-12.85%	8.64%
DGRW WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund	10.01%	12.17%	16.98%	18.66%	-6.33%	24.46%	13.87%	29.54%	-5.38%	26.90%

Correlation

The correlation between DES and DGRW is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2013	0.76

The correlation between DES and DGRW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

DES vs. DGRW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DES	DGRW
Financial Services	23.7%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	14.8%	7.1%
Industrials	13.3%	9.9%
Energy	10.7%	5.0%
Real Estate	9.6%	-
Basic Materials	6.0%	3.3%
Technology	5.5%	32.1%
Utilities	4.6%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	6.7%
Communication Services	2.8%	10.1%
Healthcare	1.7%	12.8%

Return for Risk

DES vs. DGRW — Risk / Return Rank

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

DES

DES Risk / Return Rank: 57
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 49
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 59

DGRW

DGRW Risk / Return Rank: 67
DGRW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
DGRW Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
DGRW Omega Ratio Rank: 71
DGRW Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
DGRW Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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. DGRW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW). 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.

	DES	DGRW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	2.30	-0.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	3.35	-0.71
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.43	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.67	2.76	+0.91
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.48	12.13	-1.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DES vs. DGRW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DES Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the DGRW Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DES and DGRW, 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

	DES	DGRW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	2.30	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.90	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.88	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.86	-0.54

Drawdowns

DES vs. DGRW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DES drawdown since its inception was -65.48%, which is greater than DGRW's maximum drawdown of -32.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DES and DGRW.

Drawdown Indicators

	DES	DGRW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.48%	-32.04%	-33.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.64%	-8.30%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.16%	-16.21%	-8.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.16%	-17.27%	-7.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.65%	-32.04%	-13.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	0.00%	-0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.68%	-3.01%	-6.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	1.89%	+0.79%

Volatility

DES vs. DGRW - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) has a higher volatility of 4.24% compared to WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW) at 2.34%. This indicates that DES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGRW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DES	DGRW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.24%	2.34%	+1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.94%	7.61%	+3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.42%	9.84%	+6.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.56%	13.96%	+5.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.97%	16.21%	+5.76%

DES vs. DGRW - Expense Ratio Comparison

DES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRW's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

DES vs. DGRW - Dividend Comparison

DES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, more than DGRW's 1.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	2.37%	2.85%	2.81%	2.65%	2.89%	2.31%	2.75%	2.68%	3.65%	2.89%	2.70%	3.09%
DGRW WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Fund	1.26%	1.43%	1.55%	1.74%	2.15%	1.78%	1.93%	2.20%	2.42%	1.71%	2.13%	2.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DES and DGRW in my portfolio?

DES and DGRW have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DES or DGRW?

DES has higher volatility (4.24%) compared to DGRW (2.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DES dropped -65.48% vs DGRW's -32.04%.

Which ETF is better, DES or DGRW?

On 10-year performance, DGRW leads with 14.25% vs 8.17% for DES. On fees, DGRW is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, DGRW has been the lower-risk option at 2.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DES or DGRW?

Over the 10-year period, DGRW has performed better with a 14.25% return vs 8.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DES or DGRW?

DGRW is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DES.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DES or DGRW?

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 1.26% for DGRW.

What is the main difference between DES and DGRW?

DES is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while DGRW is Large Cap Growth Equities. DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while DGRW tracks WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DES and 0.28% for DGRW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 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.