WCEO vs. DES

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

WCEO (Hypatia Women CEO ETF) and DES (WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. WCEO is actively managed, while DES is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, WCEO returned 15.18%/yr vs 15.80%/yr for DES. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WCEO charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DES.

Performance

WCEO vs. DES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hypatia Women CEO ETF (WCEO) and WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WCEO achieves a 13.01% return, which is significantly lower than DES's 19.31% return.

WCEO

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 13.01%
• 6M: 11.61%
• 1Y: 29.55%
• 3Y*: 15.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DES

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 3.24%
• YTD: 19.31%
• 6M: 18.13%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: 15.80%
• 5Y*: 7.19%
• 10Y*: 8.55%

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

WCEO vs. DES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
WCEO Hypatia Women CEO ETF	13.01%	9.77%	8.28%	10.51%
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	19.31%	0.25%	9.93%	12.89%

Correlation

The correlation between WCEO and DES is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 9, 2023	0.91

The correlation between WCEO and DES has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

WCEO vs. DES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WCEO	DES
Technology	18.3%	6.0%
Financial Services	16.1%	24.8%
Consumer Cyclical	14.5%	16.0%
Industrials	13.0%	13.4%
Healthcare	10.6%	2.0%
Energy	6.8%	10.2%
Real Estate	6.0%	10.1%
Basic Materials	5.2%	6.3%
Communication Services	4.5%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	4.1%
Utilities	2.0%	4.2%

Return for Risk

WCEO vs. DES — Risk / Return Rank

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

WCEO

WCEO Risk / Return Rank: 70
WCEO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
WCEO Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
WCEO Omega Ratio Rank: 59
WCEO Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
WCEO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

DES

DES Risk / Return Rank: 61
DES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
DES Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
DES Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DES Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
DES Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

WCEO vs. DES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hypatia Women CEO ETF (WCEO) 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.

	WCEO	DES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.77	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	2.64	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.31	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.27	3.80	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.27	10.90	+2.37

WCEO vs. DES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WCEO Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the DES Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WCEO 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.

Drawdowns

WCEO vs. DES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WCEO drawdown since its inception was -25.88%, smaller than the maximum DES drawdown of -65.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WCEO and DES.

Drawdown Indicators

	WCEO	DES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.88%	-65.48%	+39.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.96%	-7.64%	+0.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.88%	-25.16%	-0.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.16%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-0.97%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.44%	-9.66%	+4.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.23%	2.66%	-0.43%

Volatility

WCEO vs. DES - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hypatia Women CEO ETF (WCEO) is 3.75%, while WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) has a volatility of 3.95%. This indicates that WCEO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WCEO	DES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	3.95%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.42%	11.12%	-0.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.22%	16.45%	-1.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.07%	19.52%	-1.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	21.96%	-3.89%

WCEO vs. DES - Expense Ratio Comparison

WCEO has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than DES's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

WCEO vs. DES - Dividend Comparison

WCEO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.57%, less than DES's 2.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DES WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund	2.31%	2.85%	2.81%	2.65%	2.89%	2.31%	2.75%	2.68%	3.65%	2.89%	2.70%	3.09%
WCEO Hypatia Women CEO ETF	0.57%	0.64%	0.88%	0.93%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WCEO and DES in my portfolio?

WCEO and DES have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WCEO or DES?

DES has higher volatility (3.95%) compared to WCEO (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WCEO dropped -25.88% vs DES's -65.48%.

Which ETF is better, WCEO or DES?

On 3-year performance, DES leads with 15.80% vs 15.18% for WCEO. On fees, DES is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, WCEO has been the lower-risk option at 3.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WCEO or DES?

Over the 3-year period, DES has performed better with a 15.80% return vs 15.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WCEO or DES?

DES is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for WCEO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WCEO or DES?

DES has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 0.57% for WCEO.

What is the main difference between WCEO and DES?

They also come from different issuers: Hypatia Capital and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for WCEO and 0.38% for DES.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WCEO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.77), 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.