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DES vs. VBR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DES vs. VBR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DES returned 8.55%/yr vs 11.01%/yr for VBR. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

DES vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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 higher than VBR's 13.29% return. Over the past 10 years, DES has underperformed VBR with an annualized return of 8.55%, while VBR has yielded a comparatively higher 11.01% 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%

VBR

1D
-0.11%
1M
2.54%
YTD
13.29%
6M
11.72%
1Y
26.18%
3Y*
16.90%
5Y*
8.59%
10Y*
11.01%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DES vs. VBR - 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%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		13.29%9.09%12.40%16.00%-9.38%28.08%5.90%22.78%-12.28%11.81%

Correlation

The correlation between DES and VBR 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

0.96

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

0.96

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

DES vs. VBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DES
VBR

Financial Services

24.8%
17.5%

Consumer Cyclical

16.0%
12.5%

Industrials

13.4%
17.4%

Energy

10.2%
4.3%

Real Estate

10.1%
10.5%

Basic Materials

6.3%
6.0%

Technology

6.0%
12.1%

Utilities

4.2%
4.6%

Consumer Defensive

4.1%
4.0%

Communication Services

2.8%
2.8%

Healthcare

2.0%
8.3%

Financial Services

DES
24.8%
VBR
17.5%

Consumer Cyclical

DES
16.0%
VBR
12.5%

Industrials

DES
13.4%
VBR
17.4%

Energy

DES
10.2%
VBR
4.3%

Real Estate

DES
10.1%
VBR
10.5%

Basic Materials

DES
6.3%
VBR
6.0%

Technology

DES
6.0%
VBR
12.1%

Utilities

DES
4.2%
VBR
4.6%

Consumer Defensive

DES
4.1%
VBR
4.0%

Communication Services

DES
2.8%
VBR
2.8%

Healthcare

DES
2.0%
VBR
8.3%

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

Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF

Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. AVUVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VXUSDES vs. RWJ
Often compared with VBR:
VBR vs. AVUVVBR vs. VBVBR vs. VOOVBR vs. VBKVBR vs. VTIVBR vs. VIOVVBR vs. VSIAX

Return for Risk

DES vs. VBR — 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
VBR
VBR Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5252
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 5454
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 4848
Omega Ratio Rank
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
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. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

DESVBRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.77
1.72

+0.05

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.64
2.54

+0.10

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.30

+0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.80

2.97

+0.83

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.90

10.49

+0.41

DES vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DES Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DES and VBR, 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. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DES drawdown since its inception was -65.48%, which is greater than VBR's maximum drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DES and VBR.

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Drawdown Indicators

DESVBRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.48%

-61.98%

-3.50%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.64%

-8.85%

+1.21%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.16%

-24.19%

-0.97%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.16%

-24.19%

-0.97%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.65%

-45.28%

-0.37%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.97%

-1.14%

+0.17%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.66%

-8.25%

-1.41%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.66%

2.50%

+0.16%

Volatility

DES vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) have volatilities of 3.95% and 3.98%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DESVBRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.95%

3.98%

-0.03%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.12%

10.66%

+0.46%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.45%

15.30%

+1.15%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.52%

19.73%

-0.21%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.96%

21.71%

+0.25%

DES vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

DES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than VBR's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

DES vs. VBR - Dividend Comparison

DES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, more than VBR's 1.73% 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%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		1.73%1.95%1.98%2.12%2.03%1.75%1.68%2.06%2.35%1.79%1.77%1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.93, DES and VBR 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.

VBR has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to DES (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DES dropped -65.48% vs VBR's -61.98%.

On 10-year performance, VBR leads with 11.01% vs 8.55% for DES. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VBR has performed better with a 11.01% return vs 8.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VBR is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DES.

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 1.73% for VBR.

DES is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VBR is Small Cap Value Equities. DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DES and 0.05% for VBR.

DES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.72), 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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