IDVY vs. DES

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

IDVY (First Trust International Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - IDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq International Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR). Both are passively managed. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DES.

Performance

IDVY vs. DES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust International Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (IDVY) and WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IDVY

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 2.63%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DES

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 0.59%
• 6M: 15.92%
• YTD: 21.19%
• 1Y: 25.12%
• 3Y*: 14.47%
• 5Y*: 7.89%
• 10Y*: 7.96%

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

IDVY vs. DES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IDVY First Trust International Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	3.59%
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	7.87%

Correlation

The correlation between IDVY and DES is 0.51, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2026	0.51

IDVY vs. DES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDVY	DES
Financial Services	30.9%	24.8%
Industrials	29.9%	13.4%
Consumer Cyclical	14.3%	16.0%
Technology	11.9%	6.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	4.1%
Basic Materials	2.8%	6.3%
Energy	2.2%	10.2%
Healthcare	2.1%	2.0%
Utilities	1.5%	4.2%
Communication Services	0.9%	2.8%
Real Estate	0.4%	10.1%

Return for Risk

IDVY vs. DES — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDVY

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

DES

DES Risk / Return Rank: 61
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

IDVY vs. DES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust International Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (IDVY) 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.

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.

	IDVY	DES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.49	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.26	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.27	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.15	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	9.01	—

Drawdowns

IDVY vs. DES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDVY drawdown since its inception was -13.52%, smaller than the maximum DES drawdown of -65.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDVY and DES.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDVY	DES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.52%	-65.48%	+51.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.64%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-25.16%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.16%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.55%	-1.57%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.97%	-9.64%	+5.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.68%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IDVY	DES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.76%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	11.13%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.34%	16.18%	+9.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.34%	19.46%	+5.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.34%	21.91%	+3.43%

IDVY vs. DES - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDVY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than DES's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDVY vs. DES - Dividend Comparison

IDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, less than DES's 2.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	2.29%	2.85%	2.81%	2.65%	2.89%	2.31%	2.75%	2.68%	3.65%	2.89%	2.70%	3.09%
IDVY First Trust International Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDVY and DES in my portfolio?

IDVY and DES have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IDVY or DES?

On fees, DES is cheaper at 0.38% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDVY or DES?

DES is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for IDVY.

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

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.29%, compared with 0.77% for IDVY.

What is the main difference between IDVY and DES?

IDVY is categorized as Dividend, while DES is Small Cap Blend Equities. IDVY tracks Nasdaq International Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for IDVY and 0.38% for DES.