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DES vs. IJR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DES vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - DES tracks the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR) while IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DES returned 8.55%/yr vs 11.30%/yr for IJR. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

DES vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DES having a 19.31% return and IJR slightly higher at 19.34%. Over the past 10 years, DES has underperformed IJR with an annualized return of 8.55%, while IJR has yielded a comparatively higher 11.30% annualized 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%

IJR

1D
-0.34%
1M
4.22%
YTD
19.34%
6M
16.86%
1Y
34.47%
3Y*
16.15%
5Y*
6.29%
10Y*
11.30%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DES vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		19.31%0.25%9.93%16.50%-10.96%26.51%-4.26%20.26%-12.85%8.64%
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		19.34%5.89%8.63%16.06%-16.20%26.58%11.28%22.82%-8.51%13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between DES and IJR is 0.93, 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

0.93

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

0.95

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

0.96

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.95

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2006

0.95

The correlation between DES and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

DES vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DES
IJR

Financial Services

24.8%
16.0%

Consumer Cyclical

16.0%
12.5%

Industrials

13.4%
16.0%

Energy

10.2%
6.8%

Real Estate

10.1%
7.5%

Basic Materials

6.3%
4.7%

Technology

6.0%
15.9%

Utilities

4.2%
1.9%

Consumer Defensive

4.1%
3.2%

Communication Services

2.8%
3.2%

Healthcare

2.0%
11.0%

Financial Services

DES
24.8%
IJR
16.0%

Consumer Cyclical

DES
16.0%
IJR
12.5%

Industrials

DES
13.4%
IJR
16.0%

Energy

DES
10.2%
IJR
6.8%

Real Estate

DES
10.1%
IJR
7.5%

Basic Materials

DES
6.3%
IJR
4.7%

Technology

DES
6.0%
IJR
15.9%

Utilities

DES
4.2%
IJR
1.9%

Consumer Defensive

DES
4.1%
IJR
3.2%

Communication Services

DES
2.8%
IJR
3.2%

Healthcare

DES
2.0%
IJR
11.0%

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

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. AVUVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VBRDES vs. VXUS
Often compared with IJR:
IJR vs. IWMIJR vs. VBIJR vs. AVUVIJR vs. IJHIJR vs. IJSIJR vs. SCHAIJR vs. VBR

Return for Risk

DES vs. IJR — 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
IJR
IJR Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 6363
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
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. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). 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.

DESIJRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.77
1.96

-0.18

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.64
2.84

-0.19

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.34

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.80

3.99

-0.18

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.90

13.39

-2.49

DES vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DES Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DES and IJR, 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. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DES drawdown since its inception was -65.48%, which is greater than IJR's maximum drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DES and IJR.

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Drawdown Indicators

DESIJRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.48%

-58.15%

-7.33%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.64%

-8.68%

+1.04%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.16%

-28.02%

+2.86%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.16%

-28.02%

+2.86%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.65%

-44.36%

-1.29%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.97%

-0.43%

-0.54%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.66%

-9.26%

-0.40%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.66%

2.58%

+0.08%

Volatility

DES vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) is 3.95%, while iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) has a volatility of 4.96%. This indicates that DES experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IJR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DESIJRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.95%

4.96%

-1.01%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.12%

12.06%

-0.94%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.45%

17.73%

-1.28%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.52%

21.40%

-1.88%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.96%

22.90%

-0.94%

DES vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

DES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than IJR's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

DES vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

DES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, more than IJR's 1.15% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		1.15%1.44%2.05%1.31%1.41%1.53%1.11%1.44%1.58%1.20%1.22%1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.93, DES and IJR 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.

IJR has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to DES (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DES dropped -65.48% vs IJR's -58.15%.

On 10-year performance, IJR leads with 11.30% vs 8.55% for DES. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% 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 10-year period, IJR has performed better with a 11.30% return vs 8.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DES.

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 1.15% for IJR.

DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DES and 0.06% for IJR.

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 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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