DGS vs. VEA
DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGS returned 10.14%/yr vs 10.72%/yr for VEA. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DGS charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.
Performance
DGS vs. VEA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DGS having a 14.94% return and VEA slightly lower at 14.73%. Over the past 10 years, DGS has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 10.14%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.72% annualized return.
DGS
- 1D
- 0.65%
- 1M
- 1.57%
- YTD
- 14.94%
- 6M
- 17.07%
- 1Y
- 23.81%
- 3Y*
- 15.36%
- 5Y*
- 8.06%
- 10Y*
- 10.14%
VEA
- 1D
- 0.34%
- 1M
- 1.30%
- YTD
- 14.73%
- 6M
- 16.65%
- 1Y
- 29.82%
- 3Y*
- 19.03%
- 5Y*
- 9.51%
- 10Y*
- 10.72%
DGS vs. VEA - 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% |
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 14.73% | 35.16% | 3.15% | 17.93% | -15.34% | 11.66% | 9.71% | 22.62% | -14.75% | 26.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between DGS and VEA is 0.84, 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 | 0.84 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2007 | 0.81 |
The correlation between DGS and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DGS vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank
DGS
VEA
DGS vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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 | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.37 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.48 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.33 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.38 | 2.58 | -0.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.84 | 9.92 | -2.08 |
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Drawdowns
DGS vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DGS drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, roughly equal to the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGS and VEA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DGS | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.83% | -60.68% | -1.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.06% | -11.63% | +1.57% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.31% | -13.45% | -5.86% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.86% | -29.71% | +4.85% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.08% | -35.73% | -8.35% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.05% | -1.06% | +0.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.57% | -13.28% | +0.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.05% | 3.02% | +0.03% |
Volatility
DGS vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison
WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) has a higher volatility of 7.30% compared to Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) at 6.84%. This indicates that DGS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DGS | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.30% | 6.84% | +0.46% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.27% | 14.38% | -0.11% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.60% | 16.58% | +0.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.08% | 16.72% | -1.64% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.39% | 17.40% | -0.01% |
DGS vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison
DGS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
DGS vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison
DGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.20%, more than VEA's 2.62% 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% |
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 2.62% | 3.22% | 3.35% | 3.15% | 2.91% | 3.16% | 2.04% | 3.04% | 3.35% | 2.77% | 3.05% | 2.92% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DGS and VEA have a correlation of 0.84, 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 VEA (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGS dropped -61.83% vs VEA's -60.68%.
On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.72% vs 10.14% for DGS. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VEA has been the lower-risk option at 6.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.72% return vs 10.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DGS.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.20%, compared with 2.62% for VEA.
DGS is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for DGS and 0.03% for VEA.
VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.44), 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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