SEIS vs. DES

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SEIS (SEI Select Small Cap ETF) and DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. SEIS is actively managed, while DES is passively managed. Over the past year, SEIS returned 31.11% vs 28.95% for DES. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SEIS charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DES.

Performance

SEIS vs. DES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) 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, SEIS achieves a 17.00% return, which is significantly lower than DES's 19.31% return.

SEIS

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: 17.00%
• 6M: 14.13%
• 1Y: 31.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DES

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 3.24%
• YTD: 19.31%
• 6M: 18.13%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: 15.80%
• 5Y*: 7.19%
• 10Y*: 8.55%

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

SEIS vs. DES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEIS SEI Select Small Cap ETF	17.00%	9.81%	1.42%
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	19.31%	0.25%	2.20%

Correlation

The correlation between SEIS and DES is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2024	0.85

The correlation between SEIS and DES has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SEIS vs. DES — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEIS

SEIS Risk / Return Rank: 54
SEIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SEIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
SEIS Omega Ratio Rank: 47
SEIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SEIS Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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: 77
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.

SEIS vs. DES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) 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.

	SEIS	DES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.77	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	2.64	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.31	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	3.80	-1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.25	10.90	-1.65

SEIS vs. DES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEIS Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the DES Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEIS 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

SEIS vs. DES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEIS drawdown since its inception was -26.08%, smaller than the maximum DES drawdown of -65.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEIS and DES.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEIS	DES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.08%	-65.48%	+39.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.18%	-7.64%	-3.54%
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	-1.11%	-0.97%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.83%	-9.66%	+3.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	2.66%	+0.71%

Volatility

SEIS vs. DES - Volatility Comparison

SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) has a higher volatility of 5.87% compared to WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) at 3.95%. This indicates that SEIS'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

	SEIS	DES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.87%	3.95%	+1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.31%	11.12%	+3.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.41%	16.45%	+2.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.12%	19.52%	+2.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.12%	21.96%	+0.16%

SEIS vs. DES - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEIS has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than DES's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEIS vs. DES - Dividend Comparison

SEIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than DES's 2.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	2.31%	2.85%	2.81%	2.65%	2.89%	2.31%	2.75%	2.68%	3.65%	2.89%	2.70%	3.09%
SEIS SEI Select Small Cap ETF	0.36%	0.59%	0.23%	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 SEIS and DES in my portfolio?

SEIS and DES have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEIS or DES?

SEIS has higher volatility (5.87%) compared to DES (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEIS dropped -26.08% vs DES's -65.48%.

Which ETF is better, SEIS or DES?

On 1-year performance, SEIS leads with 31.11% vs 28.95% for DES. On fees, DES is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, DES has been the lower-risk option at 3.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEIS or DES?

Over the 1-year period, SEIS has performed better with a 31.11% return vs 28.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEIS or DES?

DES is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for SEIS.

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

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 0.36% for SEIS.

What is the main difference between SEIS and DES?

They also come from different issuers: SEI and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for SEIS and 0.38% for DES.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.61), 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.