DGRS vs. QDEF

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

DGRS (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund) and QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - DGRS tracks the WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Index while QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGRS returned 9.89%/yr vs 12.23%/yr for QDEF. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DGRS charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDEF.

Performance

DGRS vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRS) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGRS achieves a 24.80% return, which is significantly higher than QDEF's 12.90% return. Over the past 10 years, DGRS has underperformed QDEF with an annualized return of 9.89%, while QDEF has yielded a comparatively higher 12.23% annualized return.

DGRS

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 4.14%
• 6M: 11.54%
• YTD: 24.80%
• 1Y: 31.61%
• 3Y*: 14.16%
• 5Y*: 8.66%
• 10Y*: 9.89%
• ALL TIME*: 9.74%

QDEF

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 3.72%
• 6M: 10.64%
• YTD: 12.90%
• 1Y: 22.22%
• 3Y*: 19.19%
• 5Y*: 12.68%
• 10Y*: 12.23%
• ALL TIME*: 12.88%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DGRS WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund	$3.00M	$2.54M	$1.95M
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	$482.16K	$552.78K	$756.88K

DGRS vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DGRS WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund	24.80%	-0.43%	10.40%	21.16%	-13.11%	23.11%	7.86%	24.20%	-10.75%	7.25%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	12.90%	17.43%	21.19%	17.48%	-10.94%	26.04%	3.15%	24.90%	-4.10%	17.04%

Correlation

The correlation between DGRS and QDEF is 0.66, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2013	0.76

The correlation between DGRS and QDEF shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DGRS vs. QDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DGRS	QDEF
Financial Services	25.5%	11.7%
Industrials	19.5%	5.5%
Consumer Cyclical	16.3%	7.3%
Energy	10.0%	4.2%
Technology	9.1%	35.6%
Basic Materials	8.0%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	7.3%
Communication Services	2.0%	5.8%
Real Estate	1.9%	3.9%
Healthcare	1.2%	10.5%
Utilities	0.2%	3.6%

Return for Risk

DGRS vs. QDEF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DGRS

DGRS Risk / Return Rank: 75
DGRS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
DGRS Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DGRS Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DGRS Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
DGRS Martin Ratio Rank: 74

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 85
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 85

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DGRS vs. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRS) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). 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.

	DGRS	QDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.27	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.21	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.42	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	3.21	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.48	13.38	-2.90

DGRS vs. QDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGRS Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the QDEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGRS and QDEF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DGRS vs. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGRS drawdown since its inception was -44.83%, which is greater than QDEF's maximum drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGRS and QDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGRS	QDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.83%	-35.74%	-9.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.68%	-6.95%	-2.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.57%	-14.43%	-13.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.57%	-21.37%	-6.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.83%	-35.74%	-9.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	0.00%	-0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.65%	-3.26%	-3.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	1.66%	+1.36%

Volatility

DGRS vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRS) has a higher volatility of 4.12% compared to FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) at 2.77%. This indicates that DGRS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGRS	QDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	2.77%	+1.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.66%	7.63%	+3.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.99%	9.86%	+7.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.22%	13.79%	+6.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.58%	16.14%	+7.44%

DGRS vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGRS has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than QDEF's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGRS vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison

DGRS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.99%, more than QDEF's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRS WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Fund	1.99%	2.68%	2.15%	2.36%	2.88%	2.19%	2.32%	2.39%	2.64%	1.90%	1.82%	2.55%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	1.54%	1.74%	1.85%	2.21%	2.42%	1.84%	2.50%	3.17%	7.10%	2.70%	2.90%	3.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGRS and QDEF in my portfolio?

DGRS and QDEF have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DGRS or QDEF?

DGRS has higher volatility (4.12%) compared to QDEF (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGRS dropped -44.83% vs QDEF's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, DGRS or QDEF?

On 10-year performance, QDEF leads with 12.23% vs 9.89% for DGRS. On fees, QDEF is cheaper at 0.37% per year. On volatility, QDEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DGRS or QDEF?

Over the 10-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 12.23% return vs 9.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DGRS or QDEF?

QDEF is cheaper with a 0.37% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DGRS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DGRS or QDEF?

DGRS has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 1.54% for QDEF.

What is the main difference between DGRS and QDEF?

DGRS tracks WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Quality Dividend Growth Index, while QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DGRS and 0.37% for QDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.87), 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.