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SIXS vs. DES
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SIXS vs. DES

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SIXS (6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF) and DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. SIXS is actively managed, while DES is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIXS returned 4.69%/yr vs 7.19%/yr for DES. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SIXS charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DES.

Performance

SIXS vs. DES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF (SIXS) and WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SIXS achieves a 12.13% return, which is significantly lower than DES's 19.31% return.

SIXS

1D
1.61%
1M
4.24%
YTD
12.13%
6M
11.48%
1Y
23.12%
3Y*
13.07%
5Y*
4.69%
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)

SIXS vs. DES - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020
SIXS
6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF		12.13%4.59%5.85%14.92%-18.52%40.74%44.24%
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		19.31%0.25%9.93%16.50%-10.96%26.51%36.54%

Correlation

The correlation between SIXS and DES is 0.85, 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

0.85

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.90

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.93

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2020

0.92

The correlation between SIXS and DES has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

SIXS vs. DES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SIXS
DES

Consumer Cyclical

17.0%
16.0%

Consumer Defensive

13.0%
4.1%

Financial Services

12.9%
24.8%

Real Estate

11.7%
10.1%

Healthcare

10.2%
2.0%

Utilities

10.1%
4.2%

Industrials

8.7%
13.4%

Technology

7.6%
6.0%

Basic Materials

4.7%
6.3%

Communication Services

2.3%
2.8%

Energy

1.3%
10.2%

Consumer Cyclical

SIXS
17.0%
DES
16.0%

Consumer Defensive

SIXS
13.0%
DES
4.1%

Financial Services

SIXS
12.9%
DES
24.8%

Real Estate

SIXS
11.7%
DES
10.1%

Healthcare

SIXS
10.2%
DES
2.0%

Utilities

SIXS
10.1%
DES
4.2%

Industrials

SIXS
8.7%
DES
13.4%

Technology

SIXS
7.6%
DES
6.0%

Basic Materials

SIXS
4.7%
DES
6.3%

Communication Services

SIXS
2.3%
DES
2.8%

Energy

SIXS
1.3%
DES
10.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund

Often compared with SIXS:
SIXS vs. QQQSIXS vs. IWMSIXS vs. SLXSIXS vs. IFRASIXS vs. ABLSSIXS vs. OMFLSIXS vs. SMDV
Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. AVUVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VBRDES vs. VXUS

Return for Risk

SIXS vs. DES — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SIXS
SIXS Risk / Return Rank: 5858
Overall Rank
SIXS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SIXS Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
SIXS Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
SIXS Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
SIXS Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
DES
DES Risk / Return Rank: 6161
Overall Rank
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 6363
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SIXS vs. DES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF (SIXS) 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.

SIXSDESDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.71
1.77

-0.06

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.54
2.64

-0.10

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.31

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.24

3.80

-0.56

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.73

10.90

-1.17

SIXS vs. DES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIXS Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the DES Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIXS 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.

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Drawdowns

SIXS vs. DES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIXS drawdown since its inception was -27.68%, smaller than the maximum DES drawdown of -65.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIXS and DES.

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Drawdown Indicators

SIXSDESDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-27.68%

-65.48%

+37.80%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.16%

-7.64%

+0.48%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.95%

-25.16%

+5.21%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-27.68%

-25.16%

-2.52%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-45.65%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.97%

+0.97%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.87%

-9.66%

+0.79%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.38%

2.66%

-0.28%

Volatility

SIXS vs. DES - Volatility Comparison

6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF (SIXS) and WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) have volatilities of 3.81% and 3.95%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SIXSDESDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.81%

3.95%

-0.14%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.12%

11.12%

-2.00%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.59%

16.45%

-2.86%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.60%

19.52%

-1.92%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.62%

21.96%

-2.34%

SIXS vs. DES - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIXS has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than DES's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIXS vs. DES - Dividend Comparison

SIXS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.70%, less than DES's 2.31% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
SIXS
6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF		1.70%1.62%1.09%1.60%1.37%0.94%0.45%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

SIXS and DES have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

DES has higher volatility (3.95%) compared to SIXS (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIXS dropped -27.68% vs DES's -65.48%.

On 5-year performance, DES leads with 7.19% vs 4.69% for SIXS. On fees, DES is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, SIXS has been the lower-risk option at 3.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, DES has performed better with a 7.19% return vs 4.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

DES is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for SIXS.

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 1.70% for SIXS.

They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for SIXS and 0.38% for DES.

DES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.71), 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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