DON vs. SYLD

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

DON (WisdomTree US MidCap Dividend ETF) and SYLD (Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. DON is passively managed, while SYLD is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, DON returned 9.30%/yr vs 13.51%/yr for SYLD. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DON charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SYLD.

Performance

DON vs. SYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree US MidCap Dividend ETF (DON) and Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DON achieves a 13.00% return, which is significantly lower than SYLD's 21.10% return. Over the past 10 years, DON has underperformed SYLD with an annualized return of 9.30%, while SYLD has yielded a comparatively higher 13.51% annualized return.

DON

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 2.50%
• 6M: 7.40%
• YTD: 13.00%
• 1Y: 16.62%
• 3Y*: 13.04%
• 5Y*: 9.82%
• 10Y*: 9.30%

SYLD

• 1D: 1.89%
• 1M: 5.16%
• 6M: 13.57%
• YTD: 21.10%
• 1Y: 29.15%
• 3Y*: 12.45%
• 5Y*: 9.30%
• 10Y*: 13.51%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DON vs. SYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DON WisdomTree US MidCap Dividend ETF	13.00%	3.86%	14.20%	14.04%	-4.72%	30.29%	-5.40%	23.31%	-8.26%	14.86%
SYLD Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF	21.10%	3.94%	3.37%	16.46%	-6.14%	48.59%	13.61%	26.98%	-13.51%	20.03%

Correlation

The correlation between DON and SYLD is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2013	0.91

The correlation between DON and SYLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

DON vs. SYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DON	SYLD
Financial Services	21.1%	22.7%
Industrials	16.4%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	11.6%	23.5%
Real Estate	9.3%	-
Energy	7.9%	17.1%
Utilities	6.9%	-
Basic Materials	6.8%	8.0%
Technology	4.5%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	6.7%
Communication Services	3.9%	6.0%
Healthcare	2.4%	5.7%

Return for Risk

DON vs. SYLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DON

DON Risk / Return Rank: 45
DON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
DON Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
DON Omega Ratio Rank: 42
DON Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
DON Martin Ratio Rank: 44

SYLD

SYLD Risk / Return Rank: 79
SYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
SYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DON vs. SYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree US MidCap Dividend ETF (DON) and Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD). 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.

	DON	SYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.91	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	2.89	-0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.33	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	4.23	-2.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.76	11.44	-5.68

DON vs. SYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DON Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is lower than the SYLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DON and SYLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DON vs. SYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DON drawdown since its inception was -61.94%, which is greater than SYLD's maximum drawdown of -45.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DON and SYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	DON	SYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.94%	-45.36%	-16.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.05%	-6.93%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.46%	-26.62%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.46%	-26.62%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.80%	-45.36%	-1.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.86%	-5.62%	-2.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	2.56%	+0.33%

Volatility

DON vs. SYLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree US MidCap Dividend ETF (DON) is 2.99%, while Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) has a volatility of 3.70%. This indicates that DON experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DON	SYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	3.70%	-0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.85%	9.54%	-0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.79%	15.31%	-2.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.63%	20.35%	-2.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.21%	22.90%	-2.69%

DON vs. SYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

DON has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than SYLD's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

DON vs. SYLD - Dividend Comparison

DON's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.21%, more than SYLD's 1.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DON WisdomTree US MidCap Dividend ETF	2.21%	2.53%	2.27%	2.41%	2.71%	2.12%	2.77%	2.38%	2.55%	2.25%	2.48%	2.89%
SYLD Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF	1.83%	2.25%	2.04%	1.92%	2.20%	2.37%	1.99%	2.08%	2.52%	1.57%	1.92%	6.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DON and SYLD in my portfolio?

DON and SYLD have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DON or SYLD?

SYLD has higher volatility (3.70%) compared to DON (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DON dropped -61.94% vs SYLD's -45.36%.

Which ETF is better, DON or SYLD?

On 10-year performance, SYLD leads with 13.51% vs 9.30% for DON. On fees, DON is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, DON has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DON or SYLD?

Over the 10-year period, SYLD has performed better with a 13.51% return vs 9.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DON or SYLD?

DON is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for SYLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DON or SYLD?

DON has the higher dividend yield at 2.21%, compared with 1.83% for SYLD.

What is the main difference between DON and SYLD?

They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Cambria. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for DON and 0.59% for SYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.31), 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.