WisdomTree
dividendgrowth_5.jpg

As Rare as the Loch Ness Monster, Equities at a 10 P/E

Published March 5, 2021

Jeff Weniger, CFA
Jeff Weniger, CFA

Head of Equity Strategy

“Nessie.” That’s the nickname for the lake-living, reclusive beast that has lured spellbound tourists to a fabled Scottish lake—Loch Ness—for decades. This raging stock market has gotten to such a point that you could be forgiven for thinking the Loch Ness Monster hoax is more believable than claims of spotting a low P/E equity basket these days.

By and large, there is not much you can do if you want a really low P/E in the U.S.—not with the S&P 500 Index loitering around 3,800, its forward P/E at 23.

To get there, you might consider turning to emerging markets (EM).

We have a couple of Funds that own a bunch of inexpensive stocks, the type of Funds you might own when you are decidedly bulled up on value relative to growth.

Here are two of our deepest value ideas:

DGS: The WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund

DEM: The WisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund

If you think 2021 will witness stocks with no dividends winning again, you don’t want these. But if you are scouring the landscape for companies with low multiples, these are the two Funds to investigate.

Note the return on equity (ROE) percentages in figure 1. Pretty good for EM value, right? Both DGS and DEM are higher on that measure than the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, with notably lower P/Es. Additionally, the dividend yields are several percentage points higher than the 1.55% of the S&P 500.

Figure 1: DGS & DEM’s Valuations

figure-1_dgs-and-dems-valuations.png

For Standardized Performance and SEC Yield of the Funds mentioned in the table please click their respective tickers: DGS, DEM.

Like your search for Nessie or Bigfoot, you could be looking for a long time if you expect to stumble upon big slugs of Tech or Consumer Discretionary in DGS or DEM. These are reflation-based Funds that are overweight Basic Materials and Real Estate (figure 2).

Figure 2: Sector Weights

figure-2_sector-weights.png

Another thing: DGS and DEM are underweight China (figure 3).

Figure 3: China + Taiwan in DGS & DEM

figure-3china--taiwan-in-dgs-and-dem.png

If you are bullish on China relative to the rest of EM, then look away from DGS and DEM and toward something like the WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (XSOE), which has more in that country.

For the rest of you, guess what, value hunters content with an underweight in China, guess what? Unlike Nessie, DGS and DEM do exist.

Finally, to reiterate a critical argument: look again at the ROEs in figure 1 on DGS and DEM. That profitability measure is a touch lower than the S&P 500for both DGS and DEM, yet the two Funds trade at 10.1 and 8.4 times forward earnings, respectively. In 2021, those multiples could be about as rare as a Bigfoot sighting.

Important Risks Related to this Article

There are risks associated with investing, including the possible loss of principal. Foreign investing involves special risks, such as risk of loss from currency fluctuation or political or economic uncertainty. Funds focusing on a single sector and/or smaller companies generally experience greater price volatility. Investments in emerging, offshore or frontier markets are generally less liquid and less efficient than investments in developed markets and are subject to additional risks, such as risks of adverse governmental regulation, intervention and political developments. Due to the investment strategy of these Funds, they may make higher capital gain distributions than other ETFs.

Please read each Fund’s prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.

About the contributor

Jeff Weniger, CFA
Jeff Weniger, CFA

Head of Equity Strategy

Jeff Weniger, CFA, has been with WisdomTree since 2017 and serves as the Head of Equities. He shapes the firm’s market outlook through a combination of macroeconomic and fundamental analysis. With more than two decades in investment strategy, Jeff is known for his work on market cycles and valuations. Before joining WisdomTree, Jeff was with BMO Private Bank and BMO Global Asset Management for 11 years. At BMO, he sat on the firm’s Asset Allocation Committee and co-managed ETF model portfolios across the U.S. and Canada. In 2013, at age 32, he became the youngest member of BMO’s Global Investment Forum. When he left BMO to come to WisdomTree, his final role was Director, Senior Strategist in the Office of the CIO in 2017.

Jeff is a frequent television guest on networks such as CNBC, Bloomberg, and Schwab, with regular print appearances in The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and Reuters. He also appears weekly on the Behind the Markets podcast and is a regular on SiriusXM’s The Business Briefing. On X, Jeff has developed one of the larger followings in financial media. He earned a B.S. in Finance from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. He has held the CFA charter since 2006.

GO PAPERLESS

Contact your broker to sign up for eDelivery of WisdomTree ETF documents.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Funds before investing. U.S. investors only: To obtain a prospectus containing this and other important information, please call 866.909.9473, or click here to view or download a prospectus online. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest. There are risks involved with investing, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

You cannot invest directly in an index.

Foreign investing involves currency, political and economic risk. Funds focusing on a single country, sector and/or funds that emphasize investments in smaller companies may experience greater price volatility. Investments in emerging markets, real estate, currency, fixed income and alternative investments include additional risks. Due to the investment strategy of certain Funds, they may make higher capital gain distributions than other ETFs. Please see prospectus for discussion of risks.

WisdomTree Funds are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, in the U.S.

© 2026 WisdomTree, Inc. All Rights Reserved.