DGS vs. UTSL
DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) and UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - DGS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while UTSL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DGS returned 8.06%/yr vs 8.66%/yr for UTSL. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DGS charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for UTSL.
Performance
DGS vs. UTSL - 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 UTSL's 6.35% 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%
UTSL
- 1D
- 3.20%
- 1M
- -4.35%
- YTD
- 6.35%
- 6M
- 6.90%
- 1Y
- 20.28%
- 3Y*
- 20.77%
- 5Y*
- 8.66%
- 10Y*
- —
DGS vs. UTSL - 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% | 17.98% |
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares | 6.35% | 29.03% | 54.24% | -35.55% | -14.06% | 48.16% | -38.58% | 81.07% | -2.27% | 11.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between DGS and UTSL is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2017 | 0.25 |
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Return for Risk
DGS vs. UTSL — Risk / Return Rank
DGS
UTSL
DGS vs. UTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL). 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 | UTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.10 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.38 | 0.64 | +1.74 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.84 | 1.30 | +6.54 |
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Drawdowns
DGS vs. UTSL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DGS drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, smaller than the maximum UTSL drawdown of -79.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGS and UTSL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DGS | UTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.83% | -79.55% | +17.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.06% | -28.45% | +18.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.31% | -46.22% | +26.91% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.86% | -68.01% | +43.15% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.08% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.05% | -21.69% | +20.64% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.57% | -33.19% | +20.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.05% | 13.87% | -10.82% |
Volatility
DGS vs. UTSL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) is 7.30%, while Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) has a volatility of 17.03%. This indicates that DGS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UTSL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DGS | UTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.30% | 17.03% | -9.73% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.27% | 35.33% | -21.06% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.60% | 43.73% | -27.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.08% | 52.08% | -37.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.39% | 59.23% | -41.84% |
DGS vs. UTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison
DGS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than UTSL's 0.99% expense ratio.
Dividends
DGS vs. UTSL - Dividend Comparison
DGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.20%, more than UTSL's 1.71% 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% |
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares | 1.71% | 1.69% | 1.61% | 3.61% | 1.15% | 1.19% | 1.40% | 5.01% | 1.46% | 0.57% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DGS and UTSL have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UTSL has higher volatility (17.03%) compared to DGS (7.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGS dropped -61.83% vs UTSL's -79.55%.
On 5-year performance, UTSL leads with 8.66% vs 8.06% for DGS. On fees, DGS is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, DGS has been the lower-risk option at 7.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, UTSL has performed better with a 8.66% return vs 8.06%. 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 0.99% for UTSL.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.20%, compared with 1.71% for UTSL.
DGS is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while UTSL is Leveraged Equities. DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for DGS and 0.99% for UTSL.
DGS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 0.42), 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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