DGS vs. VWO
DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGS is a Dividend fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGS returned 8.21%/yr vs 7.86%/yr for VWO. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DGS charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.
Performance
DGS vs. VWO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DGS achieves a 8.16% return, which is significantly lower than VWO's 9.41% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DGS having a 8.21% annualized return and VWO not far behind at 7.86%.
DGS
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -5.05%
- 6M
- 0.93%
- YTD
- 8.16%
- 1Y
- 15.60%
- 3Y*
- 11.49%
- 5Y*
- 6.78%
- 10Y*
- 8.21%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.63%
VWO
- 1D
- 0.96%
- 1M
- -0.49%
- 6M
- 4.16%
- YTD
- 9.41%
- 1Y
- 21.69%
- 3Y*
- 14.84%
- 5Y*
- 6.08%
- 10Y*
- 7.86%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.81%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.57M | $2.59M | $2.98M | |
| $386.61M | $469.40M | $499.89M |
DGS vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 8.16% | 21.18% | 1.13% | 19.08% | -12.35% | 15.33% | 4.06% | 18.90% | -16.52% | 37.47% |
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 9.41% | 25.60% | 10.59% | 9.25% | -17.98% | 1.26% | 15.17% | 20.75% | -14.76% | 31.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between DGS and VWO is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.87 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.87 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.88 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2007 | 0.91 |
The correlation between DGS and VWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DGS vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank
DGS
VWO
DGS vs. VWO - 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 Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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 | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.31 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.22 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.55 | 1.89 | -0.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.58 | 6.16 | -1.58 |
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Drawdowns
DGS vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DGS drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGS and VWO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DGS | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.83% | -67.68% | +5.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.06% | -11.17% | +1.11% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.31% | -17.37% | -1.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.86% | -30.88% | +6.02% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.08% | -36.39% | -7.69% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.35% | -4.07% | -3.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.51% | -15.73% | +3.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.39% | 3.43% | -0.04% |
Volatility
DGS vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison
WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) have volatilities of 5.55% and 5.58%, 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 | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.55% | 5.58% | -0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.52% | 15.22% | +0.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.41% | 17.58% | -0.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.33% | 17.56% | -2.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.34% | 19.17% | -1.83% |
DGS vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison
DGS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
DGS vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison
DGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.96%, more than VWO's 2.35% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 3.96% | 3.45% | 3.36% | 4.55% | 5.34% | 3.98% | 3.69% | 3.95% | 4.24% | 2.81% | 3.42% | 3.28% |
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 2.35% | 2.79% | 3.20% | 3.52% | 4.11% | 2.63% | 1.91% | 3.23% | 2.88% | 2.30% | 2.52% | 3.26% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DGS and VWO 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.
VWO has higher volatility (5.58%) compared to DGS (5.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGS dropped -61.83% vs VWO's -67.68%.
On 10-year performance, DGS leads with 8.21% vs 7.86% for VWO. On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% 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, DGS has performed better with a 8.21% return vs 7.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DGS.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.96%, compared with 2.35% for VWO.
DGS is categorized as Dividend, while VWO is Emerging Markets Equities. DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for DGS and 0.08% for VWO.
VWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 0.89), 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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