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DGS vs. SDEM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DGS vs. SDEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) and SDEM (Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while SDEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Top 50 Dividend. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGS returned 9.93%/yr vs 4.84%/yr for SDEM. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DGS charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for SDEM.

Performance

DGS vs. SDEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGS achieves a 14.53% return, which is significantly higher than SDEM's 10.35% return. Over the past 10 years, DGS has outperformed SDEM with an annualized return of 9.93%, while SDEM has yielded a comparatively lower 4.84% annualized return.

DGS

1D
-1.37%
1M
2.58%
YTD
14.53%
6M
15.57%
1Y
27.26%
3Y*
16.17%
5Y*
7.85%
10Y*
9.93%

SDEM

1D
-1.52%
1M
1.02%
YTD
10.35%
6M
10.30%
1Y
30.03%
3Y*
19.61%
5Y*
4.14%
10Y*
4.84%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DGS vs. SDEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
DGS
WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund		14.53%21.18%1.13%19.08%-12.35%15.33%4.06%18.90%-16.52%37.47%
SDEM
Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF		10.35%32.01%4.02%12.64%-21.53%2.11%-11.13%17.56%-17.40%16.57%

Correlation

The correlation between DGS and SDEM is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.78

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.77

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.79

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.81

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2015

0.80

The correlation between DGS and SDEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with DGS:
DGS vs. AVESDGS vs. AVEEDGS vs. AVDVDGS vs. DLSDGS vs. AVEMDGS vs. VWODGS vs. VSS
Often compared with SDEM:
SDEM vs. SDIVSDEM vs. EFASSDEM vs. ALTYSDEM vs. SCHDSDEM vs. DGRWSDEM vs. DVYASDEM vs. SPY

Return for Risk

DGS vs. SDEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DGS
DGS Risk / Return Rank: 5151
Overall Rank
DGS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DGS Sortino Ratio Rank: 4949
Sortino Ratio Rank
DGS Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
DGS Calmar Ratio Rank: 5454
Calmar Ratio Rank
DGS Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank
SDEM
SDEM Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
SDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
SDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
SDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
SDEM Martin Ratio Rank: 6464
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

DGS vs. SDEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM). 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.

DGSSDEMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.76
2.22

-0.46

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.43
3.07

-0.64

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.38

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.72

3.34

-0.62

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.16

11.64

-2.48

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DGS vs. SDEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGS Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the SDEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGS and SDEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

DGSSDEMDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.76

2.22

-0.46

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.53

0.24

+0.29

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.58

0.25

+0.32

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.23

0.18

+0.05

Drawdowns

DGS vs. SDEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGS drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, which is greater than SDEM's maximum drawdown of -47.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGS and SDEM.

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Drawdown Indicators

DGSSDEMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.83%

-47.38%

-14.45%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.06%

-9.03%

-1.03%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.31%

-12.34%

-6.97%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.86%

-36.70%

+11.84%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.08%

-47.38%

+3.30%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.40%

-4.20%

+2.80%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-12.59%

-20.71%

+8.12%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.98%

2.59%

+0.39%

Volatility

DGS vs. SDEM - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) has a higher volatility of 5.24% compared to Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM) at 4.90%. This indicates that DGS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DGSSDEMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.24%

4.90%

+0.34%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.03%

11.14%

+1.89%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.56%

13.57%

+1.99%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.87%

17.43%

-2.56%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.32%

19.22%

-1.90%

DGS vs. SDEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than SDEM's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGS vs. SDEM - Dividend Comparison

DGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.21%, less than SDEM's 5.42% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DGS
WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund		3.21%3.45%3.36%4.55%5.34%3.98%3.69%3.95%4.24%2.81%3.42%3.28%
SDEM
Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF		5.42%5.27%7.28%7.50%8.86%8.14%6.30%6.47%6.55%5.01%5.06%6.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

DGS and SDEM have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

DGS has higher volatility (5.24%) compared to SDEM (4.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGS dropped -61.83% vs SDEM's -47.38%.

On 10-year performance, DGS leads with 9.93% vs 4.84% for SDEM. On fees, DGS is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, SDEM has been the lower-risk option at 4.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, DGS has performed better with a 9.93% return vs 4.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

DGS is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for SDEM.

SDEM has the higher dividend yield at 5.42%, compared with 3.21% for DGS.

DGS is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while SDEM is Emerging Markets Equities. DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while SDEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Top 50 Dividend. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for DGS and 0.67% for SDEM.

SDEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.76), 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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