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ETF Comparison

DEM vs DGS: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of WisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund and WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated August 13, 2026

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricDEMDGS
Full nameWisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend FundWisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund
IssuerWisdomTreeWisdomTree
Last Close$54.67 as of August 13, 2026$64.14 as of August 13, 2026
Distribution yield5.30%5.24%
Distribution Safety Score™ 7575
Expense ratio0.63%0.58%
AUM$3.93B$1.74B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying index—WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index
Objective—Seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index, a fundamentally weighted index that measures the performance of primarily small-capitalization stocks selected from the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date07/13/200710/30/2007
Beta0.710.92
Last dividend$0.7250$0.8400
Ex-dividend date06/25/202606/25/2026

Bottom lineDEM and DGS are nearly interchangeable — both offer very similar emerging markets exposure with very similar cost and risk. The clearest tie-breaker is cost: DGS is cheaper at 0.58% vs 0.63%.

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Income calculator

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WisdomTree
ETFs94
Total AUM$102B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

WisdomTree is known for offering diversified, thematically-focused ETFs that emphasize dividend income and factor-based strategies across multiple asset classes. The firm manages 28 funds spanning equities, fixed income, commodities, digital assets, and alternatives, with a particular strength in dividend and income-oriented products like its popular DGS (Emerging Markets High Dividend) and DGRW (Emerging Markets Quality Dividend Growth) funds. WisdomTree's lineup is characterized by its broad thematic approach, including exposure to megatrends and digital assets, alongside traditional dividend and factor-based equity strategies designed to appeal to income-focused investors.

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

DEM has outpaced DGS over the trailing twelve months, posting a 24.66% total return against 19.18%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: DEM has compounded at 8.94% a year, against 8.31% for DGS. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Oct 2007Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
DEM17.75%24.66%18.59%10.30%8.94%4.61%14.7%0.861.24-15.6%
DGS13.02%19.18%14.91%7.89%8.31%4.94%15.3%0.620.88-19.3%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 12, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Oct 2007” measures every fund from October 30, 2007 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Quick verdict

DEM (WisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund) and DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

DEM offers the higher yield at 5.30% vs 5.24% for DGS. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

DGS is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.58% compared to 0.63%.

DEM is the larger fund by assets ($3.93B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose DEM

WisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund

  • Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.
  • Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.7 vs 0.9 for DGS.

Choose DGS

WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

  • Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.58% expense ratio vs 0.63% for DEM.

Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, DEM would generate roughly $44.17/month, while DGS would produce $43.67/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

DEM yield5.30%
DGS yield5.24%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.50

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, DEM would cost approximately $630 in fees vs $580 for DGS (simplified, not compounded). The $50.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

DEM ER0.63%
DGS ER0.58%

Strategy & risk

DEM is an ETF, while DGS tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. Beta is 0.71 for DEM and 0.92 for DGS, indicating DEM is less volatile relative to the market.

DEM beta0.71
DGS beta0.92

Fund details

DEM is managed by WisdomTree (launched 07/13/2007) with $3.93B in assets. DGS is managed by WisdomTree (launched 10/30/2007) with $1.74B in assets.

DEM AUM$3.93B
DGS AUM$1.74B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution yield for DEM and DGS?

DEM currently distributes 5.30% and DGS 5.24%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is DEM or DGS better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. DEM currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between DEM and DGS?

DEM (WisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund) is an ETF, while DGS (WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund) tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Index. They are issued by WisdomTree and WisdomTree respectively.

Can I hold both DEM and DGS?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is DEM or DGS safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: DEM scores 75, DGS scores 75. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. DEM has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.71 vs 0.92 for DGS). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, DEM or DGS?

DEM has an expense ratio of 0.63% while DGS charges 0.58%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in DEM vs DGS generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in DEM would generate roughly $44.17 per month ($530.00 annually). The same in DGS would produce about $43.67 per month ($524.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, DEM or DGS?

DEM has outpaced DGS over the trailing twelve months, posting a 24.66% total return against 19.18%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: DEM has compounded at 8.94% a year, against 8.31% for DGS. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

DEM vs DGS — at a glance

Generated August 8, 2026.

Overview

DEM and DGS are both WisdomTree ETFs tracking fundamentally weighted emerging-markets dividend indexes, distributing quarterly yields in the 5.26–5.30% range. The key distinction is market capitalization: DEM holds large and mid-cap stocks across emerging economies, while DGS focuses on small-cap issuers within the same dividend-focused universe. DGS is the more volatile, concentrated play; DEM offers broader exposure with lower beta.

How they differ

DEM targets large and mid-capitalization emerging-markets dividend payers, while DGS explicitly screens for small-cap stocks from the same dividend index pool. That capitalization split is the primary structural difference: DGS carries a beta of 0.92 versus DEM's 0.73, reflecting higher sensitivity to market moves in a narrower, less liquid segment. Yield spreads are negligible—DEM's 5.30% versus DGS's 5.26%—but DGS charges 5 basis points less in expenses (0.58% vs. 0.63%). DGS has roughly half DEM's asset base ($1.74B vs. $3.93B), which can matter for trade execution in smaller emerging markets and during stress periods.

Who each is best for

DEM: Fits investors wanting broad emerging-markets dividend exposure with lower volatility and deeper liquidity, accepting a slightly higher fee for access to a larger, more established fund structure.

DGS: Fits investors comfortable with higher price swings and smaller-cap concentration in exchange for a lower expense ratio and potential for greater capital appreciation in less-efficient emerging-markets segments.

Key risks to know

  • Small-cap liquidity risk in DGS: Emerging-markets small-cap stocks face wider bid-ask spreads and lower trading volumes than large-cap peers, especially during market dislocations. Fund outflows or forced liquidations in smaller positions could create meaningful slippage.
  • Currency fluctuation risk: Both funds hold non-dollar assets across multiple emerging economies. Currency depreciation against the dollar can erode returns independent of equity performance; DGS's smaller-cap exposure may compound this risk if certain markets weaken.
  • Index concentration: Both track fundamentally weighted indexes, which can concentrate holdings in the highest-dividend-yielding stocks. If yield-driven valuations mean-revert, both funds' portfolios could face synchronized downside pressure.
  • Emerging-markets regulatory and political risk: Both are exposed to policy shifts, capital controls, and governance changes across multiple developing economies—a risk that is harder to diversify away in small-cap segments (DGS) where company-specific news can move the index more dramatically.

Bottom line

If you prioritize stability and liquidity in emerging-markets dividend exposure, DEM's larger fund size and lower beta suggest a steadier ride; if you accept higher volatility for lower fees and potential small-cap upside, DGS offers that tradeoff. Both yields are comparable, so the choice hinges on your tolerance for price swings and the size of positions you plan to trade. Past performance in emerging markets does not predict future results, especially in small-cap segments exposed to currency and regulatory shifts.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

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