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DES vs. VOO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DES vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DES returned 8.59%/yr vs 15.50%/yr for VOO. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

DES vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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 20.48% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 9.08% return. Over the past 10 years, DES has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 8.59%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.50% annualized return.

DES

1D
0.98%
1M
5.05%
YTD
20.48%
6M
17.29%
1Y
31.80%
3Y*
14.46%
5Y*
6.81%
10Y*
8.59%

VOO

1D
0.55%
1M
-0.84%
YTD
9.08%
6M
9.44%
1Y
25.76%
3Y*
20.95%
5Y*
13.43%
10Y*
15.50%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DES vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		20.48%0.25%9.93%16.50%-10.96%26.51%-4.26%20.26%-12.85%8.64%
VOO
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF		9.08%17.82%24.98%26.32%-18.17%28.79%18.32%31.37%-4.50%21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between DES and VOO is 0.59, 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

0.59

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

0.64

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

0.71

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

0.71

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010

0.77

The correlation between DES and VOO shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (1 year) to 0.77 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DES vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DES
VOO

Financial Services

23.7%
11.6%

Consumer Cyclical

14.8%
10.2%

Industrials

13.3%
8.3%

Energy

10.7%
3.5%

Real Estate

9.6%
1.9%

Basic Materials

6.0%
1.8%

Technology

5.5%
35.7%

Utilities

4.6%
2.4%

Consumer Defensive

4.3%
4.9%

Communication Services

2.8%
11.3%

Healthcare

1.7%
8.5%

Financial Services

DES
23.7%
VOO
11.6%

Consumer Cyclical

DES
14.8%
VOO
10.2%

Industrials

DES
13.3%
VOO
8.3%

Energy

DES
10.7%
VOO
3.5%

Real Estate

DES
9.6%
VOO
1.9%

Basic Materials

DES
6.0%
VOO
1.8%

Technology

DES
5.5%
VOO
35.7%

Utilities

DES
4.6%
VOO
2.4%

Consumer Defensive

DES
4.3%
VOO
4.9%

Communication Services

DES
2.8%
VOO
11.3%

Healthcare

DES
1.7%
VOO
8.5%

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 S&P 500 ETF

Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. AVUVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VBRDES vs. VXUS
Often compared with VOO:
VOO vs. VTIVOO vs. QQQVOO vs. SCHDVOO vs. VTVOO vs. SPYVOO vs. FXAIXVOO vs. IVV

Return for Risk

DES vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DES
DES Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 8383
Calmar Ratio Rank
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 6969
Martin Ratio Rank
VOO
VOO Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
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. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

DESVOODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.79
1.99

-0.20

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.66
2.70

-0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.36

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.87

2.75

+1.12

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.13

12.42

-1.29

DES vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DES Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DES and VOO, 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. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DES drawdown since its inception was -65.48%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DES and VOO.

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Drawdown Indicators

DESVOODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.48%

-33.99%

-31.49%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.64%

-8.90%

+1.26%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.16%

-18.69%

-6.47%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.16%

-24.52%

-0.64%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.65%

-33.99%

-11.66%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-2.34%

+2.34%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.67%

-3.68%

-5.99%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.66%

1.97%

+0.69%

Volatility

DES vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) have volatilities of 4.28% and 4.34%, 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

DESVOODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.28%

4.34%

-0.06%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.97%

9.58%

+1.39%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.48%

12.27%

+4.21%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.58%

16.88%

+2.70%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.97%

18.03%

+3.94%

DES vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

DES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

DES vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

DES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.29%, more than VOO's 1.05% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		2.29%2.85%2.81%2.65%2.89%2.31%2.75%2.68%3.65%2.89%2.70%3.09%
VOO
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF		1.05%1.13%1.24%1.46%1.69%1.25%1.54%1.88%2.06%1.78%2.02%2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

DES and VOO have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VOO has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to DES (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DES dropped -65.48% vs VOO's -33.99%.

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.50% vs 8.59% for DES. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% 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, VOO has performed better with a 15.50% return vs 8.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DES.

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.29%, compared with 1.05% for VOO.

DES is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DES and 0.03% for VOO.

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.79), 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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