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DES vs. VTV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DES vs. VTV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) and VTV (Vanguard Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while VTV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DES returned 8.59%/yr vs 12.78%/yr for VTV. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTV.

Performance

DES vs. VTV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Vanguard Value ETF (VTV). 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 VTV's 14.29% return. Over the past 10 years, DES has underperformed VTV with an annualized return of 8.59%, while VTV has yielded a comparatively higher 12.78% 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%

VTV

1D
0.93%
1M
3.87%
YTD
14.29%
6M
13.99%
1Y
27.90%
3Y*
18.16%
5Y*
11.76%
10Y*
12.78%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DES vs. VTV - 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%
VTV
Vanguard Value ETF		14.29%15.27%15.95%9.32%-2.09%26.53%2.33%25.66%-5.47%17.15%

Correlation

The correlation between DES and VTV is 0.83, 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

0.83

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

0.83

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

0.85

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

0.83

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

0.85

The correlation between DES and VTV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

DES vs. VTV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DES
VTV

Financial Services

23.7%
22.3%

Consumer Cyclical

14.8%
4.0%

Industrials

13.3%
14.0%

Energy

10.7%
8.1%

Real Estate

9.6%
2.8%

Basic Materials

6.0%
3.1%

Technology

5.5%
13.4%

Utilities

4.6%
5.2%

Consumer Defensive

4.3%
9.4%

Communication Services

2.8%
3.3%

Healthcare

1.7%
14.5%

Financial Services

DES
23.7%
VTV
22.3%

Consumer Cyclical

DES
14.8%
VTV
4.0%

Industrials

DES
13.3%
VTV
14.0%

Energy

DES
10.7%
VTV
8.1%

Real Estate

DES
9.6%
VTV
2.8%

Basic Materials

DES
6.0%
VTV
3.1%

Technology

DES
5.5%
VTV
13.4%

Utilities

DES
4.6%
VTV
5.2%

Consumer Defensive

DES
4.3%
VTV
9.4%

Communication Services

DES
2.8%
VTV
3.3%

Healthcare

DES
1.7%
VTV
14.5%

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 Value ETF

Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. AVUVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VBRDES vs. VXUS
Often compared with VTV:
VTV vs. SCHDVTV vs. VOOVTV vs. VTIVTV vs. VUGVTV vs. VYMVTV vs. SCHVVTV vs. VIG

Return for Risk

DES vs. VTV — 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
VTV
VTV Risk / Return Rank: 8888
Overall Rank
VTV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8989
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTV Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTV Omega Ratio Rank: 8787
Omega Ratio Rank
VTV Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTV Martin Ratio Rank: 8787
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. VTV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

DESVTVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.79
2.61

-0.81

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.66
3.71

-1.05

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.47

-0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.87

4.25

-0.38

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.13

16.04

-4.91

DES vs. VTV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DES Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is lower than the VTV Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DES and VTV, 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. VTV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DES drawdown since its inception was -65.48%, which is greater than VTV's maximum drawdown of -59.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DES and VTV.

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Drawdown Indicators

DESVTVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.48%

-59.27%

-6.21%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.64%

-6.35%

-1.29%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.16%

-14.52%

-10.64%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.16%

-17.04%

-8.12%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.65%

-36.78%

-8.87%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.67%

-7.86%

-1.81%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.66%

1.68%

+0.98%

Volatility

DES vs. VTV - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) has a higher volatility of 4.28% compared to Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) at 3.34%. This indicates that DES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DESVTVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.28%

3.34%

+0.94%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.97%

7.82%

+3.15%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.48%

10.38%

+6.10%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.58%

13.92%

+5.66%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.97%

16.68%

+5.29%

DES vs. VTV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DES has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than VTV's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

DES vs. VTV - Dividend Comparison

DES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.29%, more than VTV's 1.83% 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%
VTV
Vanguard Value ETF		1.83%2.05%2.31%2.46%2.52%2.15%2.56%2.50%2.73%2.29%2.44%2.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

DES and VTV have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

DES has higher volatility (4.28%) compared to VTV (3.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DES dropped -65.48% vs VTV's -59.27%.

On 10-year performance, VTV leads with 12.78% vs 8.59% for DES. On fees, VTV is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VTV has been the lower-risk option at 3.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VTV has performed better with a 12.78% return vs 8.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTV is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DES.

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.29%, compared with 1.83% for VTV.

DES is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VTV is Large Cap Value Equities. DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while VTV tracks CRSP US Large Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DES and 0.04% for VTV.

VTV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for DES and VTV

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