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WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
08/13/2025: DES (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 13.32% | Avg. Invested days 51 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | ETF Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Volume (30-day avg) - | Beta 1.08 | 52 Weeks Range 27.19 - 37.54 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 27.19 - 37.54 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
Upturn AI SWOT
WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund
ETF Overview
Overview
The WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) seeks to track the investment results of dividend-paying small-capitalization companies in the U.S. equity market. It focuses on high-dividend yielding companies, screening based on fundamental factors like dividend payments.
Reputation and Reliability
WisdomTree is a well-known ETF provider with a reputation for innovative dividend-weighted and fundamentally weighted ETFs.
Management Expertise
WisdomTree has a dedicated team of investment professionals with experience in managing dividend-focused and small-cap equity strategies.
Investment Objective
Goal
To track the investment results of dividend-paying small-capitalization companies in the U.S. equity market.
Investment Approach and Strategy
Strategy: The fund employs a dividend-weighting strategy, which means that companies are weighted in the index based on the aggregate cash dividends they are expected to pay.
Composition Primarily holds common stocks of small-capitalization companies that meet WisdomTree's dividend-paying criteria.
Market Position
Market Share: DES has a notable market share within the small-cap dividend ETF category but it doesn't dominate the whole small-cap market.
Total Net Assets (AUM): 1560000000
Competitors
Key Competitors
- Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR)
- iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR)
- Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA)
Competitive Landscape
The small-cap ETF market is highly competitive with several major players. DES differentiates itself through its dividend-weighting strategy. While this can lead to higher income, it may also result in different sector exposures and performance compared to market-cap weighted funds like IJR or VBR. Its advantage lies in its dividend focus, and disadvantage could be potential underperformance during periods where growth outperforms value.
Financial Performance
Historical Performance: Historical performance data can be obtained from financial websites, showing total returns over various periods (e.g., 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years).
Benchmark Comparison: DES's performance should be compared to the Russell 2000 Value Index or a similar small-cap dividend-focused benchmark to assess its relative performance.
Expense Ratio: 0.38
Liquidity
Average Trading Volume
The average trading volume for DES suggests it is reasonably liquid.
Bid-Ask Spread
The bid-ask spread for DES is generally tight, indicating relatively low trading costs.
Market Dynamics
Market Environment Factors
Interest rate changes, economic growth, and small-cap market sentiment influence DES. Sector performance within the small-cap universe also affects returns.
Growth Trajectory
Growth depends on the performance of small-cap dividend-paying companies and the fund's ability to effectively track its index. Changes to holdings occur through regular rebalancing.
Moat and Competitive Advantages
Competitive Edge
DES's competitive edge lies in its dividend-weighted approach within the small-cap universe, targeting high-dividend-yielding companies. This strategy can attract income-seeking investors. The fund's distinct weighting methodology sets it apart from market-cap weighted competitors. A focus on fundamentally sound dividend-paying small-caps is a key differentiator. This approach provides a niche option for investors.
Risk Analysis
Volatility
Small-cap stocks are generally more volatile than large-cap stocks, thus DES tends to be more volatile than broad market ETFs.
Market Risk
DES is subject to market risk, which includes economic downturns, sector-specific risks, and changes in investor sentiment towards small-cap stocks.
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor for DES is someone seeking income from dividend-paying small-cap stocks and is comfortable with the higher volatility associated with this asset class.
Market Risk
DES is suitable for long-term investors seeking income and diversification within their small-cap equity allocation.
Summary
The WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) offers exposure to dividend-paying small-cap companies in the US through its dividend-weighting strategy. DES has higher expense ratio compared to competitors and is best suited for income-seeking investors who are comfortable with the higher volatility associated with small-cap equities. Its competitive advantage lies in its dividend weighting methodology, differentiating it from other market-cap weighted small-cap ETFs. While offering potential income and diversification, investors should also consider the market risks associated with small-cap stocks before investing.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- WisdomTree website
- ETF.com
- Morningstar
- Yahoo Finance
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund
Exchange NYSE ARCA | Headquaters - | ||
IPO Launch date - | CEO - | ||
Sector - | Industry - | Full time employees - | Website |
Full time employees - | Website |
Under normal circumstances, at least 95% of the fund's total assets (exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) will be invested in constituent securities of the index and investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of such constituent securities. The index is a fundamentally weighted index measuring the performance of the small-capitalization segment of the U.S. dividend-paying market. The fund is non-diversified.

Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.