DFEV vs. DGS
DFEV (Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF) and DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DFEV is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DGS is a Dividend fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. DFEV is actively managed, while DGS is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFEV returned 19.57%/yr vs 11.49%/yr for DGS. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DFEV charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for DGS.
Performance
DFEV vs. DGS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFEV achieves a 18.44% return, which is significantly higher than DGS's 8.16% return.
DFEV
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -3.76%
- 6M
- 9.07%
- YTD
- 18.44%
- 1Y
- 35.77%
- 3Y*
- 19.57%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 15.19%
DGS
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -5.05%
- 6M
- 0.93%
- YTD
- 8.16%
- 1Y
- 15.60%
- 3Y*
- 11.49%
- 5Y*
- 6.78%
- 10Y*
- 8.21%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.63%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $13.02M | $11.82M | $9.92M | |
| $2.57M | $2.59M | $2.98M |
DFEV vs. DGS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | 18.44% | 32.54% | 7.26% | 15.52% | -6.08% |
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 8.16% | 21.18% | 1.13% | 19.08% | -7.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFEV and DGS is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2022 | 0.91 |
The correlation between DFEV and DGS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DFEV vs. DGS — Risk / Return Rank
DFEV
DGS
DFEV vs. DGS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) and WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS). 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.
| DFEV | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.76 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.90 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.17 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.56 | 1.55 | +1.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.54 | 4.58 | +3.96 |
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Drawdowns
DFEV vs. DGS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFEV drawdown since its inception was -18.49%, smaller than the maximum DGS drawdown of -61.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEV and DGS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFEV | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.49% | -61.83% | +43.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.86% | -10.06% | -3.80% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.94% | -19.31% | +1.37% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -24.86% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.08% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.62% | -7.35% | -3.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.71% | -12.51% | +7.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.14% | 3.39% | +0.75% |
Volatility
DFEV vs. DGS - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) has a higher volatility of 8.10% compared to WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) at 5.55%. This indicates that DFEV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFEV | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.10% | 5.55% | +2.55% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.68% | 15.52% | +4.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.40% | 17.41% | +3.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.36% | 15.33% | +2.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.36% | 17.34% | +0.02% |
DFEV vs. DGS - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFEV has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is lower than DGS's 0.58% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFEV vs. DGS - Dividend Comparison
DFEV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, less than DGS's 3.96% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | 2.17% | 2.69% | 3.17% | 3.47% | 3.35% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 3.96% | 3.45% | 3.36% | 4.55% | 5.34% | 3.98% | 3.69% | 3.95% | 4.24% | 2.81% | 3.42% | 3.28% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFEV and DGS have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFEV has higher volatility (8.10%) compared to DGS (5.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEV dropped -18.49% vs DGS's -61.83%.
On 3-year performance, DFEV leads with 19.57% vs 11.49% for DGS. On fees, DFEV is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, DGS has been the lower-risk option at 5.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, DFEV has performed better with a 19.57% return vs 11.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DFEV is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DGS.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.96%, compared with 2.17% for DFEV.
DFEV is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while DGS is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for DFEV and 0.58% for DGS.
DFEV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 0.89), 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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