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DES vs. VYM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DES vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR), while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DES returned 8.48%/yr vs 12.00%/yr for VYM. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DES charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

DES vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 18.52% return, which is significantly higher than VYM's 11.70% return. Over the past 10 years, DES has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 8.48%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 12.00% annualized return.

DES

1D
-0.13%
1M
2.56%
YTD
18.52%
6M
16.64%
1Y
30.08%
3Y*
15.54%
5Y*
7.29%
10Y*
8.48%

VYM

1D
0.11%
1M
0.42%
YTD
11.70%
6M
11.13%
1Y
25.24%
3Y*
18.48%
5Y*
12.10%
10Y*
12.00%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DES vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		18.52%0.25%9.93%16.50%-10.96%26.51%-4.26%20.26%-12.85%8.64%
VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF		11.70%15.42%17.60%6.57%-0.43%26.20%1.15%24.06%-5.92%16.42%

Correlation

The correlation between DES and VYM is 0.80, 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

0.80

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 Nov 16, 2006

0.85

The correlation between DES and VYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

DES vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DES
VYM

Financial Services

24.8%
19.9%

Consumer Cyclical

16.0%
6.6%

Industrials

13.4%
11.8%

Energy

10.2%
9.1%

Real Estate

10.1%
0.0%

Basic Materials

6.3%
3.4%

Technology

6.0%
20.3%

Utilities

4.2%
5.4%

Consumer Defensive

4.1%
8.0%

Communication Services

2.8%
3.4%

Healthcare

2.0%
12.2%

Financial Services

DES
24.8%
VYM
19.9%

Consumer Cyclical

DES
16.0%
VYM
6.6%

Industrials

DES
13.4%
VYM
11.8%

Energy

DES
10.2%
VYM
9.1%

Real Estate

DES
10.1%
VYM
0.0%

Basic Materials

DES
6.3%
VYM
3.4%

Technology

DES
6.0%
VYM
20.3%

Utilities

DES
4.2%
VYM
5.4%

Consumer Defensive

DES
4.1%
VYM
8.0%

Communication Services

DES
2.8%
VYM
3.4%

Healthcare

DES
2.0%
VYM
12.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. AVUVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VBRDES vs. VXUS
Often compared with VYM:
VYM vs. SCHDVYM vs. VIGVYM vs. VYMIVYM vs. FDVVVYM vs. VOOVYM vs. VTIVYM vs. DGRO

Return for Risk

DES vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DES
DES Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 6464
Martin Ratio Rank
VYM
VYM Risk / Return Rank: 7878
Overall Rank
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8080
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 8282
Sortino Ratio Rank
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
VYM 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. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

DESVYMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.84
2.44

-0.60

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.73
3.48

-0.74

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.44

-0.12

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.95

3.79

+0.17

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.33

14.09

-2.76

DES vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DES Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DES and VYM, 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. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DES drawdown since its inception was -65.48%, which is greater than VYM's maximum drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DES and VYM.

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Drawdown Indicators

DESVYMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-65.48%

-56.98%

-8.50%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.64%

-6.69%

-0.95%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.16%

-14.46%

-10.70%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.16%

-15.84%

-9.32%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.65%

-35.21%

-10.44%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.62%

-1.12%

-0.50%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.66%

-7.18%

-2.48%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.66%

1.80%

+0.86%

Volatility

DES vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) has a higher volatility of 3.92% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 3.02%. This indicates that DES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DESVYMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.92%

3.02%

+0.90%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.11%

7.64%

+3.47%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.48%

10.41%

+6.07%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.51%

13.93%

+5.58%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.98%

16.35%

+5.63%

DES vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

DES vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

DES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%, more than VYM's 2.29% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		2.33%2.85%2.81%2.65%2.89%2.31%2.75%2.68%3.65%2.89%2.70%3.09%
VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF		2.29%2.44%2.74%3.12%3.01%2.76%3.18%3.03%3.40%2.80%2.91%3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

DES and VYM have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

DES has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to VYM (3.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DES dropped -65.48% vs VYM's -56.98%.

On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 12.00% vs 8.48% for DES. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 12.00% return vs 8.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.33%, compared with 2.29% for VYM.

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

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.84), 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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