DGS vs. DEW
DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) and DEW (WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DGS is a Dividend fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while DEW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree Global High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGS returned 8.21%/yr vs 9.75%/yr for DEW. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. Both charge a 0.58% expense ratio.
Performance
DGS vs. DEW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DGS achieves a 8.16% return, which is significantly lower than DEW's 19.31% return. Over the past 10 years, DGS has underperformed DEW with an annualized return of 8.21%, while DEW has yielded a comparatively higher 9.75% annualized return.
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%
DEW
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- 4.29%
- 6M
- 12.79%
- YTD
- 19.31%
- 1Y
- 30.52%
- 3Y*
- 19.28%
- 5Y*
- 12.89%
- 10Y*
- 9.75%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.12%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.14M | $632.09K | $360.65K | |
| $2.57M | $2.59M | $2.98M |
DGS vs. DEW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 8.16% | 21.18% | 1.13% | 19.08% | -12.35% | 15.33% | 4.06% | 18.90% | -16.52% | 37.47% |
DEW WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund | 19.31% | 22.39% | 11.58% | 9.39% | -2.73% | 21.29% | -7.32% | 20.45% | -10.58% | 15.38% |
Correlation
The correlation between DGS and DEW is 0.48, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.48 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.60 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.66 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2007 | 0.73 |
Over the past year, the correlation between DGS and DEW has dropped to 0.48 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
DGS vs. DEW — Risk / Return Rank
DGS
DEW
DGS vs. DEW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW). 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.
| DGS | DEW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.18 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.58 | -0.41 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.55 | 4.77 | -3.23 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.58 | 19.32 | -14.74 |
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Drawdowns
DGS vs. DEW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DGS drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, smaller than the maximum DEW drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGS and DEW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DGS | DEW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.83% | -65.55% | +3.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.06% | -6.34% | -3.72% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.31% | -11.80% | -7.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.86% | -18.86% | -6.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.08% | -38.77% | -5.31% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.35% | -0.26% | -7.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.51% | -12.34% | -0.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.39% | 1.56% | +1.83% |
Volatility
DGS vs. DEW - Volatility Comparison
WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) has a higher volatility of 5.55% compared to WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW) at 2.21%. This indicates that DGS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DEW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DGS | DEW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.55% | 2.21% | +3.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.52% | 7.24% | +8.28% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.41% | 9.55% | +7.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.33% | 12.90% | +2.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.34% | 15.36% | +1.98% |
DGS vs. DEW - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both DGS and DEW have an expense ratio of 0.58%.
Dividends
DGS vs. DEW - Dividend Comparison
DGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.96%, more than DEW's 3.12% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEW WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund | 3.12% | 3.71% | 4.02% | 4.55% | 3.82% | 3.55% | 4.10% | 3.74% | 4.17% | 3.18% | 3.42% | 4.32% |
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
DGS and DEW have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DGS has higher volatility (5.55%) compared to DEW (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGS dropped -61.83% vs DEW's -65.55%.
On 10-year performance, DEW leads with 9.75% vs 8.21% for DGS. Both ETFs have the same 0.58% expense ratio. On volatility, DEW has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, DEW has performed better with a 9.75% return vs 8.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DGS and DEW have the same expense ratio: 0.58% per year.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.96%, compared with 3.12% for DEW.
DGS is categorized as Dividend, while DEW is Large Cap Value Equities. DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while DEW tracks WisdomTree Global High Dividend Index.
DEW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 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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