FRDM vs. DGS
FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) and DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds - FRDM tracks the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index while DGS tracks the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FRDM returned 19.30%/yr vs 7.85%/yr for DGS. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FRDM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for DGS.
Performance
FRDM vs. DGS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FRDM achieves a 44.61% return, which is significantly higher than DGS's 14.53% return.
FRDM
- 1D
- -1.30%
- 1M
- 17.06%
- YTD
- 44.61%
- 6M
- 53.16%
- 1Y
- 97.46%
- 3Y*
- 37.08%
- 5Y*
- 19.30%
- 10Y*
- —
DGS
- 1D
- -1.37%
- 1M
- 2.58%
- YTD
- 14.53%
- 6M
- 15.57%
- 1Y
- 27.26%
- 3Y*
- 16.17%
- 5Y*
- 7.85%
- 10Y*
- 9.93%
FRDM vs. DGS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 44.61% | 61.27% | 1.70% | 22.77% | -14.45% | 6.13% | 16.90% | 12.33% |
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 14.53% | 21.18% | 1.13% | 19.08% | -12.35% | 15.33% | 4.06% | 13.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between FRDM and DGS is 0.85, 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 | 0.85 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.83 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.83 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2019 | 0.83 |
The correlation between FRDM and DGS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FRDM vs. DGS — Risk / Return Rank
FRDM
DGS
FRDM vs. DGS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) and WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS). 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.
| FRDM | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 4.00 | 1.76 | +2.24 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 4.65 | 2.43 | +2.22 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.67 | 1.32 | +0.35 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.81 | 2.72 | +3.09 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 23.37 | 9.16 | +14.21 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FRDM | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.00 | 1.76 | +2.24 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.93 | 0.53 | +0.40 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.58 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.85 | 0.23 | +0.63 |
Drawdowns
FRDM vs. DGS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FRDM drawdown since its inception was -40.49%, smaller than the maximum DGS drawdown of -61.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDM and DGS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FRDM | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.49% | -61.83% | +21.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.87% | -10.06% | -6.81% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.87% | -19.31% | +2.44% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.25% | -24.86% | -4.39% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.08% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.30% | -1.40% | +0.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.09% | -12.59% | +5.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.18% | 2.98% | +1.20% |
Volatility
FRDM vs. DGS - Volatility Comparison
Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a higher volatility of 11.03% compared to WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) at 5.24%. This indicates that FRDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FRDM | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.03% | 5.24% | +5.79% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.65% | 13.03% | +8.62% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.50% | 15.56% | +8.94% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.80% | 14.87% | +5.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.77% | 17.32% | +5.45% |
FRDM vs. DGS - Expense Ratio Comparison
FRDM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than DGS's 0.58% expense ratio.
Dividends
FRDM vs. DGS - Dividend Comparison
FRDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, less than DGS's 3.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 3.21% | 3.45% | 3.36% | 4.55% | 5.34% | 3.98% | 3.69% | 3.95% | 4.24% | 2.81% | 3.42% | 3.28% |
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 1.51% | 2.26% | 2.53% | 2.66% | 2.72% | 2.17% | 1.11% | 1.07% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FRDM and DGS have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FRDM has higher volatility (11.03%) compared to DGS (5.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDM dropped -40.49% vs DGS's -61.83%.
On 5-year performance, FRDM leads with 19.30% vs 7.85% for DGS. On fees, FRDM is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, DGS has been the lower-risk option at 5.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 19.30% return vs 7.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FRDM is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DGS.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.21%, compared with 1.51% for FRDM.
FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index, while DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Freedom Funds and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for FRDM and 0.58% for DGS.
FRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.00 vs 1.76), 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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