DGS vs. UTES
DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) and UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while UTES is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. DGS is passively managed, while UTES is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGS returned 10.14%/yr vs 12.27%/yr for UTES. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DGS charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for UTES.
Performance
DGS vs. UTES - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DGS achieves a 14.94% return, which is significantly higher than UTES's 0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, DGS has underperformed UTES with an annualized return of 10.14%, while UTES has yielded a comparatively higher 12.27% annualized return.
DGS
- 1D
- 0.65%
- 1M
- 1.51%
- YTD
- 14.94%
- 6M
- 17.07%
- 1Y
- 25.61%
- 3Y*
- 15.36%
- 5Y*
- 8.06%
- 10Y*
- 10.14%
UTES
- 1D
- 1.56%
- 1M
- -0.82%
- YTD
- 0.26%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 8.95%
- 3Y*
- 22.00%
- 5Y*
- 15.32%
- 10Y*
- 12.27%
DGS vs. UTES - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 14.94% | 21.18% | 1.13% | 19.08% | -12.35% | 15.33% | 4.06% | 18.90% | -16.52% | 37.47% |
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF | 0.26% | 25.71% | 45.35% | -2.46% | 0.80% | 20.74% | -0.30% | 25.48% | 5.14% | 14.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between DGS and UTES is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015 | 0.27 |
The correlation between DGS and UTES shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.38 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DGS vs. UTES — Risk / Return Rank
DGS
UTES
DGS vs. UTES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES). 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 | UTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.35 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.08 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.38 | 0.60 | +1.78 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.84 | 1.32 | +6.52 |
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Drawdowns
DGS vs. UTES - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DGS drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, which is greater than UTES's maximum drawdown of -35.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGS and UTES.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DGS | UTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.83% | -35.39% | -26.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.06% | -13.88% | +3.82% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.31% | -17.62% | -1.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.86% | -20.40% | -4.46% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.08% | -35.39% | -8.69% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.05% | -9.10% | +8.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.57% | -5.53% | -7.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.05% | 6.29% | -3.24% |
Volatility
DGS vs. UTES - Volatility Comparison
WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) have volatilities of 7.30% and 7.23%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DGS | UTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.30% | 7.23% | +0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.27% | 17.05% | -2.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.60% | 21.32% | -4.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.08% | 20.62% | -5.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.39% | 20.17% | -2.78% |
DGS vs. UTES - Expense Ratio Comparison
DGS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than UTES's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
DGS vs. UTES - Dividend Comparison
DGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.20%, more than UTES's 1.49% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 3.20% | 3.45% | 3.36% | 4.55% | 5.34% | 3.98% | 3.69% | 3.95% | 4.24% | 2.81% | 3.42% | 3.28% |
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF | 1.49% | 1.42% | 1.51% | 2.44% | 2.13% | 1.94% | 2.09% | 1.84% | 2.09% | 3.44% | 3.53% | 0.61% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DGS and UTES have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DGS has higher volatility (7.30%) compared to UTES (7.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGS dropped -61.83% vs UTES's -35.39%.
On 10-year performance, UTES leads with 12.27% vs 10.14% for DGS. On fees, UTES is cheaper at 0.49% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, UTES has performed better with a 12.27% return vs 10.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
UTES is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DGS.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.20%, compared with 1.49% for UTES.
DGS is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while UTES is Utilities Equities. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for DGS and 0.49% for UTES.
DGS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 0.39), 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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