HSMV vs. DES

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HSMV (First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF) and DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. HSMV is actively managed, while DES is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HSMV returned 3.69%/yr vs 5.96%/yr for DES. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HSMV charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DES.

Performance

HSMV vs. DES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV) and WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HSMV achieves a 3.11% return, which is significantly lower than DES's 15.19% return.

HSMV

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -2.09%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 3.06%
• 1Y: 4.19%
• 3Y*: 8.36%
• 5Y*: 3.69%
• 10Y*: —

DES

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 15.19%
• 6M: 14.26%
• 1Y: 25.57%
• 3Y*: 14.17%
• 5Y*: 5.96%
• 10Y*: 8.04%

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

HSMV vs. DES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HSMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF	3.11%	1.57%	13.17%	5.01%	-9.44%	23.72%	34.70%
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	15.19%	0.25%	9.93%	16.50%	-10.96%	26.51%	53.35%

Correlation

The correlation between HSMV and DES is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2020	0.91

The correlation between HSMV and DES has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

HSMV vs. DES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HSMV	DES
Real Estate	23.8%	9.6%
Financial Services	16.6%	23.7%
Industrials	15.0%	13.3%
Utilities	11.9%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	14.8%
Basic Materials	5.4%	6.0%
Healthcare	4.9%	1.7%
Energy	2.8%	10.7%
Communication Services	2.3%	2.8%
Technology	1.7%	5.5%

Return for Risk

HSMV vs. DES — Risk / Return Rank

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

HSMV

HSMV Risk / Return Rank: 15
HSMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
HSMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
HSMV Omega Ratio Rank: 14
HSMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
HSMV Martin Ratio Rank: 17

DES

DES Risk / Return Rank: 51
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 43
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

HSMV vs. DES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV) and WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES). 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.

	HSMV	DES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.41	1.57	-1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.68	2.36	-1.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.28	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.54	3.36	-2.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.62	9.57	-7.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HSMV vs. DES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HSMV Sharpe Ratio is 0.41, which is lower than the DES Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HSMV and DES, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HSMV	DES	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41	1.57	-1.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.31	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.31	+0.36

Drawdowns

HSMV vs. DES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HSMV drawdown since its inception was -19.16%, smaller than the maximum DES drawdown of -65.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HSMV and DES.

Drawdown Indicators

	HSMV	DES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.16%	-65.48%	+46.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-7.64%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.45%	-25.16%	+9.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.16%	-25.16%	+6.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.36%	-1.52%	-2.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.62%	-9.68%	+4.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	2.68%	-0.09%

Volatility

HSMV vs. DES - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV) is 2.85%, while WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) has a volatility of 4.19%. This indicates that HSMV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HSMV	DES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.85%	4.19%	-1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.28%	11.02%	-3.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.37%	16.46%	-6.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.00%	19.57%	-4.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.06%	21.97%	-5.91%

HSMV vs. DES - Expense Ratio Comparison

HSMV has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than DES's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

HSMV vs. DES - Dividend Comparison

HSMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.00%, less than DES's 2.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	2.40%	2.85%	2.81%	2.65%	2.89%	2.31%	2.75%	2.68%	3.65%	2.89%	2.70%	3.09%
HSMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF	2.00%	2.01%	1.43%	1.43%	1.26%	0.76%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HSMV and DES in my portfolio?

HSMV and DES have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HSMV or DES?

DES has higher volatility (4.19%) compared to HSMV (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HSMV dropped -19.16% vs DES's -65.48%.

Which ETF is better, HSMV or DES?

On 5-year performance, DES leads with 5.96% vs 3.69% for HSMV. On fees, DES is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, HSMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HSMV or DES?

Over the 5-year period, DES has performed better with a 5.96% return vs 3.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HSMV or DES?

DES is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for HSMV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HSMV or DES?

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.40%, compared with 2.00% for HSMV.

What is the main difference between HSMV and DES?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for HSMV and 0.38% for DES.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 0.41), 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.