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VWO vs. DES
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VWO vs. DES

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) and DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging 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, VWO returned 9.00%/yr vs 8.59%/yr for DES. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWO charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DES.

Performance

VWO vs. DES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) 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, VWO achieves a 10.77% return, which is significantly lower than DES's 20.48% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VWO having a 9.00% annualized return and DES not far behind at 8.59%.

VWO

1D
0.76%
1M
-0.68%
YTD
10.77%
6M
12.57%
1Y
26.52%
3Y*
16.61%
5Y*
5.03%
10Y*
9.00%

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)

VWO vs. DES - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF		10.77%25.60%10.59%9.25%-17.98%1.26%15.17%20.75%-14.76%31.49%
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 VWO and DES is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.48

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

0.48

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

0.51

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

0.52

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

0.62

The correlation between VWO and DES shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWO vs. DES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VWO
DES

Technology

29.6%
5.5%

Financial Services

19.5%
23.7%

Consumer Cyclical

10.7%
14.8%

Industrials

8.0%
13.3%

Basic Materials

8.0%
6.0%

Communication Services

7.1%
2.8%

Energy

4.6%
10.7%

Healthcare

3.9%
1.7%

Consumer Defensive

3.7%
4.3%

Utilities

2.9%
4.6%

Real Estate

2.2%
9.6%

Technology

VWO
29.6%
DES
5.5%

Financial Services

VWO
19.5%
DES
23.7%

Consumer Cyclical

VWO
10.7%
DES
14.8%

Industrials

VWO
8.0%
DES
13.3%

Basic Materials

VWO
8.0%
DES
6.0%

Communication Services

VWO
7.1%
DES
2.8%

Energy

VWO
4.6%
DES
10.7%

Healthcare

VWO
3.9%
DES
1.7%

Consumer Defensive

VWO
3.7%
DES
4.3%

Utilities

VWO
2.9%
DES
4.6%

Real Estate

VWO
2.2%
DES
9.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund

Often compared with VWO:
VWO vs. VEAVWO vs. IEMGVWO vs. VXUSVWO vs. EEMVWO vs. VOOVWO vs. VTIVWO vs. VEMAX
Often compared with DES:
DES vs. FDVVDES vs. AVUVDES vs. EESDES vs. IWNDES vs. SCHDDES vs. VBRDES vs. VXUS

Return for Risk

VWO vs. DES — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VWO
VWO Risk / Return Rank: 5050
Overall Rank
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4747
Sortino Ratio Rank
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5050
Calmar Ratio Rank
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
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.

VWO vs. DES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) 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.

VWODESDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.49
1.79

-0.30

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.10
2.66

-0.56

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.32

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.21

3.87

-1.66

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.80

11.13

-3.32

VWO vs. DES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWO Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the DES Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWO 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

VWO vs. DES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWO drawdown since its inception was -67.68%, roughly equal to the maximum DES drawdown of -65.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWO and DES.

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Drawdown Indicators

VWODESDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-67.68%

-65.48%

-2.20%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.17%

-7.64%

-3.53%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.37%

-25.16%

+7.79%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-32.60%

-25.16%

-7.44%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.39%

-45.65%

+9.26%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.68%

0.00%

-2.68%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.80%

-9.67%

-6.13%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.17%

2.66%

+0.51%

Volatility

VWO vs. DES - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a higher volatility of 6.64% compared to WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) at 4.28%. This indicates that VWO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VWODESDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.64%

4.28%

+2.36%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.04%

10.97%

+3.07%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.54%

16.48%

+0.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.48%

19.58%

-2.10%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.22%

21.97%

-2.75%

VWO vs. DES - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWO has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than DES's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWO vs. DES - Dividend Comparison

VWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, more 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%
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF		2.44%2.79%3.20%3.52%4.11%2.63%1.91%3.23%2.88%2.30%2.52%3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

VWO and DES have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VWO has higher volatility (6.64%) compared to DES (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWO dropped -67.68% vs DES's -65.48%.

On 10-year performance, VWO leads with 9.00% vs 8.59% for DES. On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% 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, VWO has performed better with a 9.00% return vs 8.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DES.

VWO has the higher dividend yield at 2.44%, compared with 2.29% for DES.

VWO is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while DES is Small Cap Blend Equities. VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index, while DES tracks WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (TR). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VWO and 0.38% for DES.

DES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.49), 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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