DES vs VYM
WisdomTree US SmallCap Dividend Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DES or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DES led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DES is less concentrated, with 9.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DES | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.29% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 530 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +17.05%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +15.39%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.50% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.05% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,727 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.7%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
DES vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 19.8 years both funds cover.
DES vs VYM Performance
WisdomTree US SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DES returned +15.39% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, DES is up 17.05% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, DES compounded at +13.50% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.05% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs +4.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DES has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 14.6% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -68.1% for DES and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DES charges 0.38% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $4 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DES currently yields 2.29% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
43.3% of DES's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings DES also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
106 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in DES and 557 in VYM, against full books of 530 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 432 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DES (95.7% of the fund), and 394 for DES that do not appear in VYM (54.5%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DES | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TFSLTfs Financial Corp Com | 1.19% | 0.00% | 1.19% |
| PBFPbf Energy Inc | 1.07% | 0.03% | 1.04% |
| SONSonoco Products Company | 0.98% | 0.02% | 0.96% |
| PTENPatterson-Uti Energy Inc | 0.98% | 0.01% | 0.97% |
| NEWNorthwestern Ene | 0.89% | 0.02% | 0.87% |
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 0.88% | 0.02% | 0.86% |
| AVTAvnet Inc | 0.80% | 0.03% | 0.77% |
| IRDMIridium Communications Inc | 0.76% | 0.02% | 0.74% |
| TNLTravel + Leisure Co. | 0.75% | 0.02% | 0.73% |
| HASIHa Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc | 0.74% | 0.02% | 0.72% |
43.3% of DES is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DES or VYM?
DES has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DES or VYM?
Over the past year DES returned +15.39% vs +15.34% for VYM, so DES leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DES annualized +4.41% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DES or VYM?
DES has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DES -68.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both DES and VYM?
DES and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DES and VYM?
43.3% of DES's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings DES also owns. They hold 106 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in DES and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DES or VYM?
DES yields 2.29% while VYM yields 2.22%, so DES currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DES?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DES led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DES is less concentrated, with 9.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.