Core Viewpoint - The WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend ETF (DES) is a smart beta ETF that aims to provide broad exposure to the small-cap value segment of the market, with a focus on dividend-paying stocks [1][5]. Fund Overview - DES was launched on June 16, 2006, and has accumulated over $1.85 billion in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in its category [1][5]. - The fund is managed by WisdomTree and seeks to match the performance of the WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Index, which is fundamentally weighted [5]. Cost and Performance - The annual operating expense ratio for DES is 0.38%, which is competitive within its peer group [6]. - The fund has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.86% [6]. - Year-to-date, DES has experienced a loss of approximately -2.94%, while it has gained about 2.52% over the past year as of August 18, 2025 [9]. Holdings and Risk - DES's top 10 holdings account for about 108.85% of its total assets, indicating a concentration in its top positions [8]. - The fund has a beta of 0.99 and a standard deviation of 20.39% over the trailing three-year period, categorizing it as a medium-risk investment [9]. Alternatives - Other ETFs in the small-cap value space include the iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) with $11.26 billion in assets and the Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) with $30.56 billion [12]. - IWN has an expense ratio of 0.24%, while VBR has a lower expense ratio of 0.07%, making them potentially more attractive options for cost-conscious investors [12].