DGS vs. DFEM
Compare and contrast key facts about WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF (DFEM).
DGS and DFEM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DGS is a passively managed fund by WisdomTree that tracks the performance of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. It was launched on Oct 30, 2007. DFEM is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Apr 26, 2022.
Performance
DGS vs. DFEM - Performance Comparison
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DGS vs. DFEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 5.34% | 21.18% | 1.13% | 19.08% | -7.64% |
DFEM Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | 4.58% | 29.51% | 7.53% | 13.91% | -8.69% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DGS achieves a 5.34% return, which is significantly higher than DFEM's 4.58% return.
DGS
- 1D
- 2.72%
- 1M
- -6.99%
- YTD
- 5.34%
- 6M
- 6.67%
- 1Y
- 29.07%
- 3Y*
- 13.78%
- 5Y*
- 7.49%
- 10Y*
- 8.94%
DFEM
- 1D
- 3.38%
- 1M
- -8.36%
- YTD
- 4.58%
- 6M
- 8.55%
- 1Y
- 33.76%
- 3Y*
- 16.41%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
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DGS vs. DFEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
DGS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than DFEM's 0.39% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
DGS vs. DFEM — Risk / Return Rank
DGS
DFEM
DGS vs. DFEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF (DFEM). 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.
| DGS | DFEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.76 | 1.78 | -0.02 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.37 | 2.36 | 0.00 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.35 | -0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.56 | 2.69 | -0.13 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.49 | 10.49 | -1.00 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DGS | DFEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.76 | 1.78 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.51 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.21 | 0.67 | -0.46 |
Correlation
The correlation between DGS and DFEM is 0.92, 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
DGS vs. DFEM - Dividend Comparison
DGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.49%, more than DFEM's 2.18% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 3.49% | 3.45% | 3.36% | 4.55% | 5.34% | 3.98% | 3.69% | 3.95% | 4.24% | 2.81% | 3.42% | 3.28% |
DFEM Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | 2.18% | 2.32% | 2.50% | 2.38% | 1.99% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
DGS vs. DFEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DGS drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, which is greater than DFEM's maximum drawdown of -20.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGS and DFEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DGS | DFEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.83% | -20.82% | -41.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.99% | -12.29% | +1.30% |
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 | -7.62% | -9.15% | +1.53% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.68% | -5.16% | -7.52% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.96% | 3.16% | -0.20% |
Volatility
DGS vs. DFEM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) is 8.48%, while Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF (DFEM) has a volatility of 10.03%. This indicates that DGS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DGS | DFEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.48% | 10.03% | -1.55% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.46% | 13.86% | -2.40% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.59% | 19.09% | -2.50% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.66% | 16.80% | -2.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.25% | 16.80% | +0.45% |