SCDV vs. DES

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCDV (Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF) and DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. SCDV is actively managed, while DES is passively managed. Over the past year, SCDV returned 14.53% vs 25.57% for DES. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCDV charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DES.

Performance

SCDV vs. DES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF (SCDV) 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, SCDV achieves a 10.50% return, which is significantly lower than DES's 15.19% return.

SCDV

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 10.50%
• 6M: 10.22%
• 1Y: 14.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

SCDV vs. DES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SCDV Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF	10.50%	3.09%	-6.38%
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	15.19%	0.25%	-5.38%

Correlation

The correlation between SCDV and DES is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2024	0.83

The correlation between SCDV and DES has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCDV vs. DES — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCDV

SCDV Risk / Return Rank: 27
SCDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
SCDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
SCDV Omega Ratio Rank: 26
SCDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
SCDV Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

SCDV vs. DES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF (SCDV) 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.

	SCDV	DES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	1.57	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	2.36	-0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.28	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	3.36	-2.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.92	9.57	-5.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCDV vs. DES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCDV Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is lower than the DES Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCDV 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

	SCDV	DES	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94	1.57	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.31	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.31	-0.08

Drawdowns

SCDV vs. DES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCDV drawdown since its inception was -22.84%, smaller than the maximum DES drawdown of -65.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCDV and DES.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCDV	DES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.84%	-65.48%	+42.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.38%	-7.64%	-3.74%
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	-3.88%	-1.52%	-2.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.55%	-9.68%	+4.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.71%	2.68%	+1.03%

Volatility

SCDV vs. DES - Volatility Comparison

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF (SCDV) has a higher volatility of 5.16% compared to WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) at 4.19%. This indicates that SCDV'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

	SCDV	DES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.16%	4.19%	+0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	11.02%	+0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.59%	16.46%	-0.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.19%	19.57%	-0.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.19%	21.97%	-2.78%

SCDV vs. DES - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCDV has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than DES's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCDV vs. DES - Dividend Comparison

SCDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, 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%
SCDV Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF	0.52%	0.61%	0.05%	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 SCDV and DES in my portfolio?

SCDV and DES have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCDV or DES?

SCDV has higher volatility (5.16%) compared to DES (4.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCDV dropped -22.84% vs DES's -65.48%.

Which ETF is better, SCDV or DES?

On 1-year performance, DES leads with 25.57% vs 14.53% for SCDV. On fees, DES is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, DES has been the lower-risk option at 4.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCDV or DES?

Over the 1-year period, DES has performed better with a 25.57% return vs 14.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCDV or DES?

DES is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for SCDV.

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

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.40%, compared with 0.52% for SCDV.

What is the main difference between SCDV and DES?

They also come from different issuers: Bahl & Gaynor and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for SCDV and 0.38% for DES.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 0.94), 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.