DES vs. GSG
DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DES returned 8.22%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for GSG. Their 0.27 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. DES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
DES vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DES achieves a 24.76% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 32.52% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DES having a 8.22% annualized return and GSG not far behind at 8.03%.
DES
- 1D
- -0.65%
- 1M
- 2.72%
- 6M
- 12.64%
- YTD
- 24.76%
- 1Y
- 32.63%
- 3Y*
- 13.96%
- 5Y*
- 8.42%
- 10Y*
- 8.22%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.96%
GSG
- 1D
- 0.36%
- 1M
- 5.78%
- 6M
- 21.95%
- YTD
- 32.52%
- 1Y
- 37.47%
- 3Y*
- 12.51%
- 5Y*
- 14.20%
- 10Y*
- 8.03%
- ALL TIME*
- -2.36%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5.14M | $4.84M | $5.81M | |
| $18.96M | $16.42M | $22.87M |
DES vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund | 24.76% | 0.25% | 9.93% | 16.50% | -10.96% | 26.51% | -4.26% | 20.26% | -12.85% | 8.64% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 32.52% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | -23.94% | 15.62% | -13.88% | 3.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between DES and GSG is -0.19, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.19 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.02 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.15 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2006 | 0.27 |
The correlation between DES and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (1 year) to 0.27 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
DES vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
DES
GSG
DES vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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.
| DES | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.55 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.27 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.29 | 2.00 | +2.29 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.92 | 6.32 | +6.60 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
DES vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DES drawdown since its inception was -65.48%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DES and GSG.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| DES | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.48% | -89.62% | +24.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.64% | -18.81% | +11.17% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.16% | -18.81% | -6.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.16% | -29.12% | +3.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.65% | -57.64% | +11.99% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.65% | -59.99% | +59.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.61% | -63.67% | +54.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.53% | 5.94% | -3.41% |
Volatility
DES vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) is 3.66%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 8.99%. This indicates that DES experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| DES | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.66% | 8.99% | -5.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.22% | 21.89% | -11.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.72% | 24.44% | -8.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.37% | 22.90% | -3.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.92% | 22.08% | -0.16% |
DES vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
DES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
DES vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
DES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund | 2.22% | 2.85% | 2.81% | 2.65% | 2.89% | 2.31% | 2.75% | 2.68% | 3.65% | 2.89% | 2.70% | 3.09% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DES and GSG have a correlation of -0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (8.99%) compared to DES (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DES dropped -65.48% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 10-year performance, DES leads with 8.22% vs 8.03% for GSG. On fees, DES is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, DES has been the lower-risk option at 3.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, DES has performed better with a 8.22% return vs 8.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DES is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.22%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
DES is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while GSG is Commodities. DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DES and 0.75% for GSG.
DES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.54), 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.
Find the right allocation for DES and GSG
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer