UTES vs. DGS
UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) and DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - UTES is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners, while DGS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. UTES is actively managed, while DGS is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, UTES returned 12.27%/yr vs 10.14%/yr for DGS. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UTES charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for DGS.
Performance
UTES vs. DGS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, UTES achieves a 0.26% return, which is significantly lower than DGS's 14.94% return. Over the past 10 years, UTES has outperformed DGS with an annualized return of 12.27%, while DGS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.14% annualized return.
UTES
- 1D
- 1.56%
- 1M
- -0.82%
- YTD
- 0.26%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 8.95%
- 3Y*
- 22.00%
- 5Y*
- 15.32%
- 10Y*
- 12.27%
DGS
- 1D
- 0.65%
- 1M
- 1.51%
- YTD
- 14.94%
- 6M
- 17.07%
- 1Y
- 25.61%
- 3Y*
- 15.36%
- 5Y*
- 8.06%
- 10Y*
- 10.14%
UTES vs. DGS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF | 0.26% | 25.71% | 45.35% | -2.46% | 0.80% | 20.74% | -0.30% | 25.48% | 5.14% | 14.21% |
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 UTES and DGS is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015 | 0.27 |
The correlation between UTES and DGS shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.38 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
UTES vs. DGS — Risk / Return Rank
UTES
DGS
UTES vs. DGS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) 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.
| UTES | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.35 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.08 | 1.27 | -0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.60 | 2.38 | -1.78 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.32 | 7.84 | -6.52 |
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Drawdowns
UTES vs. DGS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum UTES drawdown since its inception was -35.39%, smaller than the maximum DGS drawdown of -61.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTES and DGS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| UTES | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.39% | -61.83% | +26.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.88% | -10.06% | -3.82% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.62% | -19.31% | +1.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.40% | -24.86% | +4.46% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.39% | -44.08% | +8.69% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.10% | -1.05% | -8.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.53% | -12.57% | +7.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.29% | 3.05% | +3.24% |
Volatility
UTES vs. DGS - Volatility Comparison
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) have volatilities of 7.23% and 7.30%, 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
| UTES | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.23% | 7.30% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.05% | 14.27% | +2.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.32% | 16.60% | +4.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.62% | 15.08% | +5.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.17% | 17.39% | +2.78% |
UTES vs. DGS - Expense Ratio Comparison
UTES has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than DGS's 0.58% expense ratio.
Dividends
UTES vs. DGS - Dividend Comparison
UTES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, less than 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% |
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF | 1.49% | 1.42% | 1.51% | 2.44% | 2.13% | 1.94% | 2.09% | 1.84% | 2.09% | 3.44% | 3.53% | 0.61% |
Frequently Asked Questions
UTES and DGS have a correlation of 0.36, 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 UTES (7.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTES dropped -35.39% vs DGS's -61.83%.
On 10-year performance, UTES leads with 12.27% vs 10.14% for DGS. On fees, UTES is cheaper at 0.49% 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, UTES has performed better with a 12.27% return vs 10.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
UTES is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DGS.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.20%, compared with 1.49% for UTES.
UTES is categorized as Utilities Equities, while DGS is Emerging Markets Diversified. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for UTES and 0.58% for DGS.
DGS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 0.39), 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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