DGS vs. XLI
DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) and XLI (Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DGS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while XLI is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Industrial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGS returned 10.14%/yr vs 14.15%/yr for XLI. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DGS charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLI.
Performance
DGS vs. XLI - 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 XLI's 13.90% return. Over the past 10 years, DGS has underperformed XLI with an annualized return of 10.14%, while XLI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.15% 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%
XLI
- 1D
- 0.59%
- 1M
- 0.96%
- YTD
- 13.90%
- 6M
- 13.10%
- 1Y
- 25.17%
- 3Y*
- 20.87%
- 5Y*
- 12.93%
- 10Y*
- 14.15%
DGS vs. XLI - 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% |
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund | 13.90% | 19.35% | 17.31% | 18.13% | -5.57% | 21.08% | 10.91% | 29.08% | -13.25% | 23.98% |
Correlation
The correlation between DGS and XLI is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.53 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2007 | 0.65 |
The correlation between DGS and XLI shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (3 years) to 0.65 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DGS vs. XLI — Risk / Return Rank
DGS
XLI
DGS vs. XLI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI). 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 | XLI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.26 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.38 | 1.98 | +0.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.84 | 7.82 | +0.02 |
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Drawdowns
DGS vs. XLI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DGS drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, roughly equal to the maximum XLI drawdown of -62.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGS and XLI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DGS | XLI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.83% | -62.26% | +0.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.06% | -12.21% | +2.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.31% | -18.49% | -0.82% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.86% | -21.64% | -3.22% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.08% | -42.33% | -1.75% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.05% | -1.24% | +0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.57% | -9.20% | -3.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.05% | 3.09% | -0.04% |
Volatility
DGS vs. XLI - Volatility Comparison
WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) has a higher volatility of 7.30% compared to Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) at 6.22%. This indicates that DGS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DGS | XLI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.30% | 6.22% | +1.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.27% | 13.59% | +0.68% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.60% | 16.17% | +0.43% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.08% | 17.55% | -2.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.39% | 20.04% | -2.65% |
DGS vs. XLI - Expense Ratio Comparison
DGS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than XLI's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
DGS vs. XLI - Dividend Comparison
DGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.20%, more than XLI's 1.16% 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% |
XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund | 1.16% | 1.29% | 1.44% | 1.63% | 1.63% | 1.25% | 1.55% | 1.94% | 2.15% | 1.77% | 2.07% | 2.15% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DGS and XLI have a correlation of 0.54, 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 XLI (6.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGS dropped -61.83% vs XLI's -62.26%.
On 10-year performance, XLI leads with 14.15% vs 10.14% for DGS. On fees, XLI is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLI has been the lower-risk option at 6.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XLI has performed better with a 14.15% return vs 10.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLI is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DGS.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.20%, compared with 1.16% for XLI.
DGS is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while XLI is Industrials Equities. DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while XLI tracks Industrial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for DGS and 0.08% for XLI.
XLI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 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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