SCHD vs. DGS
SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while DGS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHD returned 12.91%/yr vs 10.14%/yr for DGS. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for DGS.
Performance
SCHD vs. DGS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCHD achieves a 20.66% return, which is significantly higher than DGS's 14.94% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHD has outperformed DGS with an annualized return of 12.91%, while DGS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.14% annualized return.
SCHD
- 1D
- 0.89%
- 1M
- 3.37%
- YTD
- 20.66%
- 6M
- 19.57%
- 1Y
- 26.16%
- 3Y*
- 14.90%
- 5Y*
- 8.75%
- 10Y*
- 12.91%
DGS
- 1D
- 0.65%
- 1M
- 1.57%
- YTD
- 14.94%
- 6M
- 17.07%
- 1Y
- 23.81%
- 3Y*
- 15.36%
- 5Y*
- 8.06%
- 10Y*
- 10.14%
SCHD vs. DGS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | 20.66% | 4.34% | 11.66% | 4.54% | -3.26% | 29.87% | 15.03% | 27.29% | -5.56% | 20.85% |
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 14.94% | 21.18% | 1.13% | 19.08% | -12.35% | 15.33% | 4.06% | 18.90% | -16.52% | 37.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCHD and DGS is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011 | 0.61 |
Over the past year, the correlation between SCHD and DGS has dropped to 0.38 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
SCHD vs. DGS — Risk / Return Rank
SCHD
DGS
SCHD vs. DGS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) 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.
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.
| SCHD | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.97 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.70 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.27 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.70 | 2.38 | +3.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.97 | 7.84 | +6.13 |
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Drawdowns
SCHD vs. DGS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCHD drawdown since its inception was -33.37%, smaller than the maximum DGS drawdown of -61.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHD and DGS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCHD | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.37% | -61.83% | +28.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.61% | -10.06% | +5.45% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.13% | -19.31% | +3.18% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.85% | -24.86% | +8.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.37% | -44.08% | +10.71% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.03% | -1.05% | +1.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.31% | -12.57% | +9.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.89% | 3.05% | -1.16% |
Volatility
SCHD vs. DGS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is 3.05%, while WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) has a volatility of 7.30%. This indicates that SCHD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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
| SCHD | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.05% | 7.30% | -4.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.53% | 14.27% | -6.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.93% | 16.60% | -5.67% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.38% | 15.08% | -0.70% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.72% | 17.39% | -0.67% |
SCHD vs. DGS - Expense Ratio Comparison
SCHD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than DGS's 0.58% expense ratio.
Dividends
SCHD vs. DGS - Dividend Comparison
SCHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, which matches DGS's 3.20% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DGS WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 3.20% | 3.45% | 3.36% | 4.55% | 5.34% | 3.98% | 3.69% | 3.95% | 4.24% | 2.81% | 3.42% | 3.28% |
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | 3.22% | 3.82% | 3.64% | 3.49% | 3.39% | 2.78% | 3.16% | 2.98% | 3.06% | 2.63% | 2.89% | 2.97% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SCHD and DGS have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DGS has higher volatility (7.30%) compared to SCHD (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHD dropped -33.37% vs DGS's -61.83%.
On 10-year performance, SCHD leads with 12.91% vs 10.14% for DGS. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 3.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SCHD has performed better with a 12.91% return vs 10.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DGS.
SCHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.22%, compared with 3.20% for DGS.
SCHD is categorized as Dividend, while DGS is Emerging Markets Diversified. SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHD and 0.58% for DGS.
SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.44), 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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