UTSL vs. DGS
UTSL (Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares) and DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - UTSL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index (300%), while DGS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UTSL returned 8.66%/yr vs 8.06%/yr for DGS. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UTSL charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for DGS.
Performance
UTSL vs. DGS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, UTSL achieves a 6.35% return, which is significantly lower than DGS's 14.94% return.
UTSL
- 1D
- 3.20%
- 1M
- -4.35%
- YTD
- 6.35%
- 6M
- 6.90%
- 1Y
- 20.28%
- 3Y*
- 20.77%
- 5Y*
- 8.66%
- 10Y*
- —
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%
UTSL vs. DGS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares | 6.35% | 29.03% | 54.24% | -35.55% | -14.06% | 48.16% | -38.58% | 81.07% | -2.27% | 11.00% |
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% | 17.98% |
Correlation
The correlation between UTSL and DGS is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2017 | 0.25 |
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Return for Risk
UTSL vs. DGS — Risk / Return Rank
UTSL
DGS
UTSL vs. DGS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) 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.
| UTSL | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.27 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.64 | 2.38 | -1.74 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.30 | 7.84 | -6.54 |
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Drawdowns
UTSL vs. DGS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum UTSL drawdown since its inception was -79.55%, which is greater than DGS's maximum drawdown of -61.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTSL and DGS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| UTSL | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -79.55% | -61.83% | -17.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -28.45% | -10.06% | -18.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -46.22% | -19.31% | -26.91% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -68.01% | -24.86% | -43.15% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.08% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -21.69% | -1.05% | -20.64% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -33.19% | -12.57% | -20.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.87% | 3.05% | +10.82% |
Volatility
UTSL vs. DGS - Volatility Comparison
Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares (UTSL) has a higher volatility of 17.03% compared to WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (DGS) at 7.30%. This indicates that UTSL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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
| UTSL | DGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 17.03% | 7.30% | +9.73% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 35.33% | 14.27% | +21.06% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 43.73% | 16.60% | +27.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 52.08% | 15.08% | +37.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 59.23% | 17.39% | +41.84% |
UTSL vs. DGS - Expense Ratio Comparison
UTSL has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than DGS's 0.58% expense ratio.
Dividends
UTSL vs. DGS - Dividend Comparison
UTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, 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% |
UTSL Direxion Daily Utilities Bull 3X Shares | 1.71% | 1.69% | 1.61% | 3.61% | 1.15% | 1.19% | 1.40% | 5.01% | 1.46% | 0.57% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
UTSL and DGS have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UTSL has higher volatility (17.03%) compared to DGS (7.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTSL dropped -79.55% vs DGS's -61.83%.
On 5-year performance, UTSL leads with 8.66% vs 8.06% for DGS. On fees, DGS is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, DGS has been the lower-risk option at 7.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, UTSL has performed better with a 8.66% return vs 8.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DGS is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for UTSL.
DGS has the higher dividend yield at 3.20%, compared with 1.71% for UTSL.
UTSL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while DGS is Emerging Markets Diversified. UTSL tracks Utilities Select Sector Index (300%), while DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for UTSL and 0.58% for DGS.
DGS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 0.42), 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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