DES vs DIV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, DIV yields more: 6.60% (dividend yield) against 2.30% for DES. DES is cheaper to own at 0.38% a year vs 0.45%. Over the same 13 years (Mar 2013 to Oct 2026), DES returned 8.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and DIV 4.7%.
| Compared | DES | DIV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 2.30% | 6.60% |
| Expense ratio | 0.38% | 0.45% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +23.0% | +21.4% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +16.3% | +15.0% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +7.1% | +6.0% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +8.0% | +4.7% |
| Worst drop since Mar 2013 | -38.1% | -45.0% |
| Share price since Mar 2013 | +106% | −25% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | WisdomTree | Global X |
| Assets | $2.1B | $777.0M |
| Started | 2006 | 2013 |
| Type | Small Value | Small Value |
Higher yield
DIV
6.60%
Lower cost
DES
0.38%
Better total return
DES
8.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
DES
-38.1%
Key facts: DES vs DIV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, DES yields 2.30% (dividend yield) and DIV yields 6.60% (dividend yield).
- DES's expense ratio is 0.38% and DIV's is 0.45%: $38 vs $45 a year on $10,000.
- From Mar 2013 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in DES grew to $30,325 (8.5% a year) and $10,000 in DIV to $18,737 (4.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -38.1% for DES and -45.0% for DIV.
- 1 of DES's top ten holdings are also in DIV's top ten, an overlap of at least 1% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DES vs DIV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/des-vs-div
$10,000 in each, Mar 2013 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
DES became
$30,325
8.5% a year
DIV became
$18,737
4.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | DES | DIV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +0.3% | +3.1% |
| 2024 | +9.7% | +11.3% |
| 2023 | +16.0% | −1.7% |
| 2022 | −11.0% | −3.9% |
| 2021 | +26.5% | +30.6% |
| 2020 | −4.3% | −22.8% |
| 2019 | +20.3% | +14.5% |
| 2018 | −12.8% | −6.6% |
| 2017 | +8.6% | +10.0% |
| 2016 | +31.4% | +10.6% |
| 2015 | −5.3% | −10.6% |
| 2014 | +7.5% | +17.4% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
1 of the top ten overlap, at least 1% of each fund.
DES
- TFSL TFS Financial Corp1.2%
- PBF PBF Energy Inc Class A1.2%
- EPR EPR Properties1.1%
- NWE NorthWestern Energy Group Inc1.1%
- PTEN Patterson-UTI Energy Inc1.0%
- SON Sonoco Products Co0.9%
- OUT Outfront Media Inc0.9%
- TNL Travel+Leisure Co0.8%
- AVT Avnet Inc0.8%
- KGS Kodiak Gas Services Inc0.8%
DIV
- TEN Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd3.8%
- CBL CBL & Associates Properties Inc New2.7%
- SXC SunCoke Energy Inc2.7%
- PAA Plains All American Pipeline LP2.6%
- SFL SFL Corp Ltd2.5%
- TIGO Millicom International Cellular SA2.4%
- UAN CVR Partners LP2.4%
- MO Altria Group Inc2.3%
- NWE NorthWestern Energy Group Inc2.3%
- LTC LTC Properties Inc2.2%
DES vs DIV: questions
Is DES or DIV better?
It depends on the job. DIV pays more today (6.60% vs 2.30%), DES costs less, and DES has the better total return over Mar 2013 to Oct 2026, with DES holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, DES or DIV?
DIV, at 6.60% against 2.30% for DES as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $660 vs $230 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
DES. From Mar 2013 to Oct 2026, it returned 8.5% a year with distributions reinvested, against 4.7% for DIV. $10,000 became $30,325 vs $18,737.
Which is cheaper, DES or DIV?
DES, with a 0.38% expense ratio against 0.45%.
Do DES and DIV hold the same things?
Partly. 1 of their top ten holdings match (NWE), at least 1% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. DES leads on 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.
