DFE vs. VGK

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund (DFE) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK).

DFE and VGK are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DFE is a passively managed fund by WisdomTree that tracks the performance of the WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Index. It was launched on Jun 16, 2006. VGK is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the FTSE Developed Europe Index. It was launched on Mar 4, 2005. Both DFE and VGK are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

DFE vs. VGK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund (DFE) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFE vs. VGK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFE WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund	-0.10%	32.85%	-0.61%	14.94%	-22.15%	18.44%	2.15%	27.15%	-21.23%	32.71%
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF	-0.95%	35.83%	1.88%	20.19%	-15.98%	16.89%	5.43%	24.85%	-14.89%	26.98%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFE achieves a -0.10% return, which is significantly higher than VGK's -0.95% return. Over the past 10 years, DFE has underperformed VGK with an annualized return of 6.62%, while VGK has yielded a comparatively higher 8.96% annualized return.

DFE

• 1D: 3.45%
• 1M: -7.61%
• YTD: -0.10%
• 6M: 3.19%
• 1Y: 22.70%
• 3Y*: 12.12%
• 5Y*: 4.86%
• 10Y*: 6.62%

VGK

• 1D: 3.21%
• 1M: -8.16%
• YTD: -0.95%
• 6M: 4.76%
• 1Y: 21.14%
• 3Y*: 14.29%
• 5Y*: 8.68%
• 10Y*: 8.96%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DFE vs. VGK - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFE has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than VGK's 0.08% expense ratio.

DFE

WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund

VGK

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF

Return for Risk

DFE vs. VGK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DFE

DFE Risk / Return Rank: 72
DFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
DFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
DFE Omega Ratio Rank: 74
DFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
DFE Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VGK

VGK Risk / Return Rank: 70
VGK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VGK Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VGK Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VGK Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VGK Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

DFE vs. VGK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund (DFE) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK). 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.

	DFE	VGK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	1.21	+0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	1.73	+0.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.24	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	1.64	+0.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.48	6.32	+0.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFE vs. VGK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFE Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is comparable to the VGK Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFE and VGK, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFE	VGK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.34	1.21	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.49	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.48	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.26	+0.02

Correlation

The correlation between DFE and VGK is 0.86, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

DFE vs. VGK - Dividend Comparison

DFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.10%, more than VGK's 3.00% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFE WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund	4.10%	4.38%	4.93%	4.97%	5.84%	2.56%	2.43%	3.39%	4.97%	2.53%	4.05%	2.78%
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF	3.00%	2.86%	3.61%	3.15%	3.25%	3.05%	2.11%	3.27%	3.95%	2.70%	3.52%	3.25%

Drawdowns

DFE vs. VGK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFE drawdown since its inception was -69.38%, which is greater than VGK's maximum drawdown of -63.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFE and VGK.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFE	VGK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.38%	-63.61%	-5.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.41%	-12.09%	+0.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.34%	-32.74%	-7.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.66%	-37.24%	-12.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.99%	-8.48%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.87%	-13.43%	-4.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.25%	3.14%	+0.11%

Volatility

DFE vs. VGK - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund (DFE) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) have volatilities of 7.34% and 7.72%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	DFE	VGK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.34%	7.72%	-0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.80%	10.96%	-0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.03%	17.62%	-0.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.95%	17.72%	+1.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.70%	18.88%	+0.82%