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VBR vs. DES
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VBR vs. DES

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) and DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while DES is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBR returned 10.99%/yr vs 8.59%/yr for DES. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VBR charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DES.

Performance

VBR vs. DES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) 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, VBR achieves a 14.60% return, which is significantly lower than DES's 20.48% return. Over the past 10 years, VBR has outperformed DES with an annualized return of 10.99%, while DES has yielded a comparatively lower 8.59% annualized return.

VBR

1D
0.87%
1M
4.49%
YTD
14.60%
6M
12.92%
1Y
29.93%
3Y*
16.09%
5Y*
8.36%
10Y*
10.99%

DES

1D
0.98%
1M
5.05%
YTD
20.48%
6M
17.29%
1Y
31.80%
3Y*
14.46%
5Y*
6.81%
10Y*
8.59%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VBR vs. DES - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		14.60%9.09%12.40%16.00%-9.38%28.08%5.90%22.78%-12.28%11.81%
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		20.48%0.25%9.93%16.50%-10.96%26.51%-4.26%20.26%-12.85%8.64%

Correlation

The correlation between VBR and DES is 0.93, 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

0.93

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

0.95

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

0.96

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

0.96

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2006

0.96

The correlation between VBR and DES has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

VBR vs. DES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VBR
DES

Industrials

18.1%
13.3%

Financial Services

17.6%
23.7%

Consumer Cyclical

12.4%
14.8%

Technology

10.6%
5.5%

Real Estate

10.1%
9.6%

Healthcare

7.9%
1.7%

Basic Materials

6.3%
6.0%

Energy

5.2%
10.7%

Utilities

4.8%
4.6%

Consumer Defensive

4.0%
4.3%

Communication Services

2.5%
2.8%

Industrials

VBR
18.1%
DES
13.3%

Financial Services

VBR
17.6%
DES
23.7%

Consumer Cyclical

VBR
12.4%
DES
14.8%

Technology

VBR
10.6%
DES
5.5%

Real Estate

VBR
10.1%
DES
9.6%

Healthcare

VBR
7.9%
DES
1.7%

Basic Materials

VBR
6.3%
DES
6.0%

Energy

VBR
5.2%
DES
10.7%

Utilities

VBR
4.8%
DES
4.6%

Consumer Defensive

VBR
4.0%
DES
4.3%

Communication Services

VBR
2.5%
DES
2.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund

Often compared with VBR:
VBR vs. AVUVVBR vs. VBVBR vs. VBKVBR vs. VOOVBR vs. VTIVBR vs. VIOVVBR vs. VSIAX
Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. AVUVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VXUSDES vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

VBR vs. DES — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VBR
VBR Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6464
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 5959
Omega Ratio Rank
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 7272
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
DES
DES Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 8383
Calmar Ratio Rank
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 6969
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.

VBR vs. DES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) 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.

VBRDESDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.83
1.79

+0.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.67
2.66

+0.01

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.32

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.17

3.87

-0.70

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.22

11.13

+0.09

VBR vs. DES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the DES Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBR 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

VBR vs. DES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBR drawdown since its inception was -61.98%, smaller than the maximum DES drawdown of -65.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBR and DES.

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Drawdown Indicators

VBRDESDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.98%

-65.48%

+3.50%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.85%

-7.64%

-1.21%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.19%

-25.16%

+0.97%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.19%

-25.16%

+0.97%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.28%

-45.65%

+0.37%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.26%

-9.67%

+1.41%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.50%

2.66%

-0.16%

Volatility

VBR vs. DES - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) have volatilities of 4.43% and 4.28%, 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

VBRDESDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.43%

4.28%

+0.15%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.65%

10.97%

-0.32%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.36%

16.48%

-1.12%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.79%

19.58%

+0.21%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.74%

21.97%

-0.23%

VBR vs. DES - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBR has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than DES's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBR vs. DES - Dividend Comparison

VBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, less than DES's 2.29% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DES
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund		2.29%2.85%2.81%2.65%2.89%2.31%2.75%2.68%3.65%2.89%2.70%3.09%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		1.71%1.95%1.98%2.12%2.03%1.75%1.68%2.06%2.35%1.79%1.77%1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.93, VBR 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.

VBR has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to DES (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBR dropped -61.98% vs DES's -65.48%.

On 10-year performance, VBR leads with 10.99% vs 8.59% for DES. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, DES has been the lower-risk option at 4.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VBR has performed better with a 10.99% return vs 8.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VBR is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DES.

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.29%, compared with 1.71% for VBR.

VBR is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while DES is Small Cap Blend Equities. VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VBR and 0.38% for DES.

VBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.79), 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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