DGS vs. XLV
DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) and XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while XLV is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Health Care Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGS returned 10.14%/yr vs 9.81%/yr for XLV. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DGS charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLV.
Performance
DGS vs. XLV - 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 XLV's -0.23% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DGS having a 10.14% annualized return and XLV not far behind at 9.81%.
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%
XLV
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- 4.90%
- YTD
- -0.23%
- 6M
- 0.67%
- 1Y
- 15.00%
- 3Y*
- 7.12%
- 5Y*
- 6.00%
- 10Y*
- 9.81%
DGS vs. XLV - 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% |
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF | -0.23% | 14.50% | 2.47% | 2.07% | -2.08% | 26.04% | 13.30% | 20.45% | 6.28% | 21.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between DGS and XLV is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2007 | 0.52 |
Over the past year, the correlation between DGS and XLV has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
DGS vs. XLV — Risk / Return Rank
DGS
XLV
DGS vs. XLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV). 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 | XLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.17 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.38 | 1.38 | +0.99 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.84 | 3.31 | +4.53 |
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Drawdowns
DGS vs. XLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DGS drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, which is greater than XLV's maximum drawdown of -39.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGS and XLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DGS | XLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.83% | -39.17% | -22.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.06% | -10.47% | +0.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.31% | -17.11% | -2.20% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.86% | -17.11% | -7.75% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.08% | -28.40% | -15.68% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.05% | -3.59% | +2.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.57% | -7.12% | -5.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.05% | 4.37% | -1.32% |
Volatility
DGS vs. XLV - Volatility Comparison
WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) has a higher volatility of 7.30% compared to State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) at 4.90%. This indicates that DGS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DGS | XLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.30% | 4.90% | +2.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.27% | 10.60% | +3.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.60% | 15.03% | +1.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.08% | 14.75% | +0.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.39% | 16.58% | +0.81% |
DGS vs. XLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
DGS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than XLV's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
DGS vs. XLV - Dividend Comparison
DGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.20%, more than XLV's 1.63% 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% |
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF | 1.63% | 1.60% | 1.67% | 1.59% | 1.47% | 1.33% | 1.49% | 2.17% | 1.57% | 1.47% | 1.60% | 1.43% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DGS and XLV have a correlation of 0.32, 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 XLV (4.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGS dropped -61.83% vs XLV's -39.17%.
On 10-year performance, DGS leads with 10.14% vs 9.81% for XLV. On fees, XLV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLV has been the lower-risk option at 4.90%. 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 10.14% return vs 9.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLV 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 1.63% for XLV.
DGS is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while XLV is Health & Biotech Equities. DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, while XLV tracks Health Care 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 XLV.
DGS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 0.97), 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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