VLUE vs. DLN

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VLUE (iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF) and DLN (WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - VLUE tracks the MSCI USA Enhanced Value Index while DLN tracks the WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VLUE returned 15.56%/yr vs 12.86%/yr for DLN. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VLUE charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for DLN.

Performance

VLUE vs. DLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) and WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund (DLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLUE achieves a 45.30% return, which is significantly higher than DLN's 9.95% return. Over the past 10 years, VLUE has outperformed DLN with an annualized return of 15.56%, while DLN has yielded a comparatively lower 12.86% annualized return.

VLUE

• 1D: -3.46%
• 1M: 5.59%
• YTD: 45.30%
• 6M: 44.72%
• 1Y: 81.73%
• 3Y*: 32.50%
• 5Y*: 16.52%
• 10Y*: 15.56%

DLN

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 9.95%
• 6M: 9.49%
• 1Y: 21.42%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 12.49%
• 10Y*: 12.86%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VLUE vs. DLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLUE iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF	45.30%	32.67%	7.25%	14.26%	-14.17%	28.93%	-0.23%	27.20%	-11.13%	21.95%
DLN WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund	9.95%	15.53%	19.66%	9.95%	-3.78%	25.60%	4.59%	28.91%	-5.82%	18.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VLUE and DLN is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 18, 2013	0.86

The correlation between VLUE and DLN shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.88 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VLUE vs. DLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VLUE	DLN
Technology	40.7%	22.8%
Financial Services	10.5%	17.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	4.9%
Communication Services	9.5%	7.5%
Industrials	8.0%	7.8%
Healthcare	7.9%	12.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	8.9%
Energy	3.5%	7.9%
Utilities	2.0%	5.5%
Real Estate	1.8%	3.9%
Basic Materials	1.3%	1.0%

Return for Risk

VLUE vs. DLN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VLUE

VLUE Risk / Return Rank: 96
VLUE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VLUE Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VLUE Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VLUE Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VLUE Martin Ratio Rank: 97

DLN

DLN Risk / Return Rank: 78
DLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
DLN Omega Ratio Rank: 77
DLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DLN Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

VLUE vs. DLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) and WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund (DLN). 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.

	VLUE	DLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.31	2.39	+1.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.37	3.40	+1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.73	1.43	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.09	3.53	+5.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	38.03	14.80	+23.23

VLUE vs. DLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLUE Sharpe Ratio is 4.31, which is higher than the DLN Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLUE and DLN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VLUE vs. DLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLUE drawdown since its inception was -39.47%, smaller than the maximum DLN drawdown of -57.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLUE and DLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLUE	DLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.47%	-57.84%	+18.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-6.10%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.89%	-13.71%	-4.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.12%	-16.26%	-10.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.47%	-35.82%	-3.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.46%	-1.12%	-2.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.00%	-7.50%	+1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	1.45%	+0.71%

Volatility

VLUE vs. DLN - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) has a higher volatility of 9.76% compared to WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund (DLN) at 2.78%. This indicates that VLUE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLUE	DLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.76%	2.78%	+6.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.13%	7.00%	+9.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.07%	9.03%	+10.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.12%	13.27%	+4.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.95%	16.14%	+3.81%

VLUE vs. DLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLUE has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than DLN's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

VLUE vs. DLN - Dividend Comparison

VLUE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%, less than DLN's 1.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DLN WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund	1.79%	1.90%	2.00%	2.43%	2.53%	2.01%	2.66%	2.51%	2.90%	2.33%	2.64%	2.80%
VLUE iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF	1.42%	2.11%	2.73%	2.66%	3.18%	2.22%	2.42%	2.61%	2.70%	2.14%	2.07%	2.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLUE and DLN in my portfolio?

VLUE and DLN have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLUE or DLN?

VLUE has higher volatility (9.76%) compared to DLN (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLUE dropped -39.47% vs DLN's -57.84%.

Which ETF is better, VLUE or DLN?

On 10-year performance, VLUE leads with 15.56% vs 12.86% for DLN. On fees, VLUE is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, DLN has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VLUE or DLN?

Over the 10-year period, VLUE has performed better with a 15.56% return vs 12.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VLUE or DLN?

VLUE is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for DLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VLUE or DLN?

DLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.79%, compared with 1.42% for VLUE.

What is the main difference between VLUE and DLN?

VLUE tracks MSCI USA Enhanced Value Index, while DLN tracks WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VLUE and 0.28% for DLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VLUE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.31 vs 2.39), 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.