IZRL vs. DES

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IZRL (ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF) and DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - IZRL is a Technology Equities fund tracking the ARK Israeli Innovation Index, while DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IZRL returned 0.13%/yr vs 8.30%/yr for DES. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IZRL charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DES.

Performance

IZRL vs. DES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF (IZRL) 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, IZRL achieves a -1.81% return, which is significantly lower than DES's 22.71% return.

IZRL

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: -4.31%
• 6M: -3.24%
• YTD: -1.81%
• 1Y: 11.09%
• 3Y*: 14.61%
• 5Y*: 0.13%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.32%

DES

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 0.86%
• 6M: 14.79%
• YTD: 22.71%
• 1Y: 33.11%
• 3Y*: 13.09%
• 5Y*: 8.30%
• 10Y*: 8.19%
• ALL TIME*: 7.88%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	$3.72M	$4.61M	$5.63M
IZRL ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF	$244.02K	$233.56K	$375.42K

IZRL vs. DES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IZRL ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF	-1.81%	36.94%	15.28%	11.39%	-38.61%	-3.55%	34.12%	21.75%	-6.17%	0.00%
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	22.71%	0.25%	9.93%	16.50%	-10.96%	26.51%	-4.26%	20.26%	-12.85%	-0.03%

Correlation

The correlation between IZRL and DES is 0.41, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2017	0.54

The correlation between IZRL and DES shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.57 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IZRL vs. DES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IZRL	DES
Technology	51.2%	6.2%
Healthcare	18.7%	2.1%
Communication Services	13.0%	2.9%
Industrials	7.4%	13.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	16.3%
Financial Services	1.7%	25.2%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	4.1%
Basic Materials	-	6.1%
Energy	-	9.5%
Real Estate	-	9.9%
Utilities	-	4.1%

Return for Risk

IZRL vs. DES — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IZRL

IZRL Risk / Return Rank: 20
IZRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
IZRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
IZRL Omega Ratio Rank: 20
IZRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
IZRL Martin Ratio Rank: 21

DES

DES Risk / Return Rank: 86
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 83
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 86

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IZRL vs. DES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF (IZRL) 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.

	IZRL	DES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	1.95	-1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.74	2.93	-2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.35	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	4.03	-3.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.39	12.16	-10.77

IZRL vs. DES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IZRL Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the DES Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IZRL 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.

Drawdowns

IZRL vs. DES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IZRL drawdown since its inception was -59.98%, smaller than the maximum DES drawdown of -65.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IZRL and DES.

Drawdown Indicators

	IZRL	DES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.98%	-65.48%	+5.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.27%	-7.64%	-10.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.18%	-25.16%	+1.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.36%	-25.16%	-27.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.21%	-1.54%	-18.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.63%	-9.61%	-16.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.75%	2.53%	+4.22%

Volatility

IZRL vs. DES - Volatility Comparison

ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF (IZRL) has a higher volatility of 6.03% compared to WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) at 3.40%. This indicates that IZRL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IZRL	DES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.03%	3.40%	+2.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.15%	10.18%	+7.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.48%	15.82%	+6.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.55%	19.38%	+5.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.87%	21.92%	+2.95%

IZRL vs. DES - Expense Ratio Comparison

IZRL has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than DES's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

IZRL vs. DES - Dividend Comparison

IZRL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.64%, more than DES's 2.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	2.26%	2.85%	2.81%	2.65%	2.89%	2.31%	2.75%	2.68%	3.65%	2.89%	2.70%	3.09%
IZRL ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF	2.64%	2.59%	0.45%	0.00%	0.00%	0.34%	0.00%	2.15%	3.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IZRL and DES in my portfolio?

IZRL and DES have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IZRL or DES?

IZRL has higher volatility (6.03%) compared to DES (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IZRL dropped -59.98% vs DES's -65.48%.

Which ETF is better, IZRL or DES?

On 5-year performance, DES leads with 8.30% vs 0.13% for IZRL. On fees, DES is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, DES has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IZRL or DES?

Over the 5-year period, DES has performed better with a 8.30% return vs 0.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IZRL or DES?

DES is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for IZRL.

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

IZRL has the higher dividend yield at 2.64%, compared with 2.26% for DES.

What is the main difference between IZRL and DES?

IZRL is categorized as Technology Equities, while DES is Small Cap Blend Equities. IZRL tracks ARK Israeli Innovation Index, while DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR). They also come from different issuers: ARK and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for IZRL and 0.38% for DES.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.42), 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.