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SMDV vs. DES
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SMDV vs. DES

Last updated Jul 14, 2026
Documentation

SMDV (ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF) and DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - SMDV tracks the Russell 2000 Dividend Growth Index while DES tracks the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMDV returned 7.27%/yr vs 7.96%/yr for DES. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMDV charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DES.

Performance

SMDV vs. DES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV) 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, SMDV achieves a 17.34% return, which is significantly lower than DES's 21.31% return. Over the past 10 years, SMDV has underperformed DES with an annualized return of 7.27%, while DES has yielded a comparatively higher 7.96% annualized return.

SMDV

1D
0.19%
1M
2.67%
6M
13.08%
YTD
17.34%
1Y
17.36%
3Y*
11.77%
5Y*
7.01%
10Y*
7.27%

DES

1D
0.10%
1M
0.69%
6M
16.17%
YTD
21.31%
1Y
25.25%
3Y*
14.29%
5Y*
8.18%
10Y*
7.96%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SMDV vs. DES - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SMDV
ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF		17.34%0.26%7.03%8.99%-5.90%18.98%-4.74%17.23%-0.58%4.63%
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		21.31%0.25%9.93%16.50%-10.96%26.51%-4.26%20.26%-12.85%8.64%

Correlation

The correlation between SMDV and DES is 0.92, 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

0.92

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

0.95

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

0.95

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.94

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2015

0.91

The correlation between SMDV and DES has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

SMDV vs. DES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SMDV
DES

Financial Services

32.8%
24.8%

Industrials

21.9%
13.4%

Utilities

15.7%
4.2%

Basic Materials

8.3%
6.3%

Real Estate

7.5%
10.1%

Consumer Defensive

4.4%
4.1%

Consumer Cyclical

4.1%
16.0%

Technology

2.5%
6.0%

Healthcare

1.6%
2.0%

Communication Services

1.1%
2.8%

Energy

-

10.2%

Financial Services

SMDV
32.8%
DES
24.8%

Industrials

SMDV
21.9%
DES
13.4%

Utilities

SMDV
15.7%
DES
4.2%

Basic Materials

SMDV
8.3%
DES
6.3%

Real Estate

SMDV
7.5%
DES
10.1%

Consumer Defensive

SMDV
4.4%
DES
4.1%

Consumer Cyclical

SMDV
4.1%
DES
16.0%

Technology

SMDV
2.5%
DES
6.0%

Healthcare

SMDV
1.6%
DES
2.0%

Communication Services

SMDV
1.1%
DES
2.8%

Energy

SMDV

-

DES
10.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund

Often compared with SMDV:
SMDV vs. SCHDSMDV vs. REGLSMDV vs. TDVSMDV vs. RWJSMDV vs. NOBLSMDV vs. SPYSMDV vs. VBR
Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. AVUVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VBRDES vs. VXUS

Return for Risk

SMDV vs. DES — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SMDV
SMDV Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
SMDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMDV Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
SMDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMDV Martin Ratio Rank: 4343
Martin Ratio Rank
DES
DES Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 6464
Sortino Ratio Rank
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
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.

SMDV vs. DES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV) 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.

SMDVDESDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.13
1.57

-0.44

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.78
2.37

-0.59

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.21

1.28

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.78

3.32

-1.54

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.50

9.49

-4.00

SMDV vs. DES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMDV Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is comparable to the DES Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMDV 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

SMDV vs. DES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMDV drawdown since its inception was -34.12%, smaller than the maximum DES drawdown of -65.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMDV and DES.

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Drawdown Indicators

SMDVDESDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.12%

-65.48%

+31.36%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.79%

-7.64%

-2.15%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.23%

-25.16%

+3.93%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.23%

-25.16%

+3.93%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.12%

-45.65%

+11.53%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.24%

-1.47%

+0.23%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.89%

-9.64%

+3.75%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.17%

2.67%

+0.50%

Volatility

SMDV vs. DES - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV) and WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) have volatilities of 3.78% and 3.76%, 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

SMDVDESDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.78%

3.76%

+0.02%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.51%

10.91%

-0.40%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.39%

16.16%

-0.77%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.57%

19.45%

-0.88%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.72%

21.91%

-1.19%

SMDV vs. DES - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMDV has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than DES's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMDV vs. DES - Dividend Comparison

SMDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, which matches DES's 2.28% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		2.28%2.85%2.81%2.65%2.89%2.31%2.75%2.68%3.65%2.89%2.70%3.09%
SMDV
ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF		2.30%2.67%2.68%2.69%2.51%2.02%2.13%2.03%1.97%1.84%1.35%1.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.92, SMDV and DES move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

SMDV has higher volatility (3.78%) compared to DES (3.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMDV dropped -34.12% vs DES's -65.48%.

On 10-year performance, DES leads with 7.96% vs 7.27% for SMDV. On fees, DES is cheaper at 0.38% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, DES has performed better with a 7.96% return vs 7.27%. 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 0.40% for SMDV.

SMDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.30%, compared with 2.28% for DES.

SMDV tracks Russell 2000 Dividend Growth Index, while DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for SMDV and 0.38% for DES.

DES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.13), 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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