DGS vs. SPEM
DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGS returned 10.06%/yr vs 9.52%/yr for SPEM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DGS charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for SPEM.
Performance
DGS vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DGS achieves a 14.20% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 10.36% return. Over the past 10 years, DGS has outperformed SPEM with an annualized return of 10.06%, while SPEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.52% annualized return.
DGS
- 1D
- 3.96%
- 1M
- 1.43%
- YTD
- 14.20%
- 6M
- 15.60%
- 1Y
- 23.59%
- 3Y*
- 15.37%
- 5Y*
- 7.92%
- 10Y*
- 10.06%
SPEM
- 1D
- 2.36%
- 1M
- 0.16%
- YTD
- 10.36%
- 6M
- 11.13%
- 1Y
- 24.73%
- 3Y*
- 17.37%
- 5Y*
- 5.42%
- 10Y*
- 9.52%
DGS vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 14.20% | 21.18% | 1.13% | 19.08% | -12.35% | 15.33% | 4.06% | 18.90% | -16.52% | 37.47% |
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 10.36% | 25.63% | 11.40% | 10.51% | -17.90% | 1.51% | 14.55% | 19.69% | -13.26% | 34.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between DGS and SPEM is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2007 | 0.89 |
The correlation between DGS and SPEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DGS vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank
DGS
SPEM
DGS vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). 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 | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.28 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.36 | 2.19 | +0.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.76 | 7.82 | -0.06 |
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Drawdowns
DGS vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DGS drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, roughly equal to the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGS and SPEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DGS | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.83% | -64.41% | +2.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.06% | -11.36% | +1.30% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.31% | -17.62% | -1.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.86% | -31.75% | +6.89% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.08% | -36.06% | -8.02% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.69% | -3.24% | +1.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.57% | -14.73% | +2.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.05% | 3.17% | -0.12% |
Volatility
DGS vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison
WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) has a higher volatility of 7.29% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 6.93%. This indicates that DGS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DGS | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.29% | 6.93% | +0.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.26% | 14.21% | +0.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.59% | 16.65% | -0.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.09% | 17.26% | -2.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.39% | 18.84% | -1.45% |
DGS vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
DGS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.11% expense ratio.
Dividends
DGS vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison
DGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, more than SPEM's 2.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 3.22% | 3.45% | 3.36% | 4.55% | 5.34% | 3.98% | 3.69% | 3.95% | 4.24% | 2.81% | 3.42% | 3.28% |
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 2.51% | 2.77% | 2.78% | 2.80% | 3.38% | 3.14% | 1.92% | 2.94% | 2.34% | 1.12% | 1.51% | 2.40% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DGS and SPEM have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DGS has higher volatility (7.29%) compared to SPEM (6.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGS dropped -61.83% vs SPEM's -64.41%.
On 10-year performance, DGS leads with 10.06% vs 9.52% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, SPEM has been the lower-risk option at 6.93%. 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 10.06% return vs 9.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPEM is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DGS.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.22%, compared with 2.51% for SPEM.
DGS is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while SPEM is Emerging Markets Equities. DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for DGS and 0.11% for SPEM.
SPEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs 1.43), 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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