AAVM vs. IVAL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

AAVM (Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF) and IVAL (Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAVM is a Multi-factor fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while IVAL is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, AAVM returned 6.37%/yr vs 9.92%/yr for IVAL. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AAVM charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for IVAL.

Performance

AAVM vs. IVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF (AAVM) and Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAVM achieves a 13.65% return, which is significantly lower than IVAL's 16.85% return.

AAVM

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -0.23%
• 6M: 6.63%
• YTD: 13.65%
• 1Y: 28.67%
• 3Y*: 16.05%
• 5Y*: 6.37%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.78%

IVAL

• 1D: -2.03%
• 1M: 4.21%
• 6M: 9.40%
• YTD: 16.85%
• 1Y: 34.16%
• 3Y*: 18.08%
• 5Y*: 9.92%
• 10Y*: 8.16%
• ALL TIME*: 6.66%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AAVM Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF	$67.44K	$51.51K	$70.29K
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF	$389.83K	$422.74K	$617.49K

AAVM vs. IVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAVM Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF	13.65%	18.54%	12.07%	-0.74%	-7.00%	3.52%	4.69%	4.59%	-15.64%	14.98%
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF	16.85%	34.92%	-0.71%	20.61%	-10.06%	-0.22%	-4.94%	21.26%	-22.50%	12.32%

Correlation

The correlation between AAVM and IVAL is 0.80, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2017	0.70

The correlation between AAVM and IVAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

AAVM vs. IVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AAVM	IVAL
Industrials	24.3%	22.0%
Technology	15.4%	6.1%
Energy	13.9%	14.2%
Basic Materials	12.5%	17.9%
Consumer Cyclical	11.6%	21.7%
Healthcare	8.7%	4.1%
Communication Services	4.6%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	10.2%
Utilities	2.8%	-
Financial Services	1.8%	-
Real Estate	0.6%	-

Return for Risk

AAVM vs. IVAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AAVM

AAVM Risk / Return Rank: 77
AAVM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
AAVM Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
AAVM Omega Ratio Rank: 77
AAVM Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
AAVM Martin Ratio Rank: 77

IVAL

IVAL Risk / Return Rank: 86
IVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
IVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
IVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 89
IVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
IVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 80

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AAVM vs. IVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF (AAVM) and Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AAVM	IVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	2.28	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	3.13	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.40	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.61	3.14	-0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.78	10.25	-0.47

AAVM vs. IVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAVM Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the IVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAVM and IVAL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AAVM vs. IVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAVM drawdown since its inception was -34.71%, smaller than the maximum IVAL drawdown of -46.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAVM and IVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAVM	IVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.71%	-46.09%	+11.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.85%	-11.24%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.23%	-14.92%	-5.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.73%	-28.51%	+4.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.09%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.64%	-2.03%	-1.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.14%	-11.88%	-1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	3.44%	-0.54%

Volatility

AAVM vs. IVAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF (AAVM) is 4.03%, while Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL) has a volatility of 4.97%. This indicates that AAVM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAVM	IVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	4.97%	-0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.94%	12.96%	+0.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.15%	15.53%	+0.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.74%	17.78%	-2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.94%	18.61%	-3.67%

AAVM vs. IVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAVM has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than IVAL's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAVM vs. IVAL - Dividend Comparison

AAVM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.81%, less than IVAL's 2.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAVM Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF	1.81%	2.05%	2.54%	4.13%	2.24%	0.82%	0.00%	1.76%	0.93%	0.81%	0.00%	0.00%
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF	2.61%	2.75%	3.60%	5.15%	8.00%	3.95%	2.07%	2.51%	2.93%	1.73%	2.02%	1.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAVM and IVAL in my portfolio?

AAVM and IVAL have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAVM or IVAL?

IVAL has higher volatility (4.97%) compared to AAVM (4.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAVM dropped -34.71% vs IVAL's -46.09%.

Which ETF is better, AAVM or IVAL?

On 5-year performance, IVAL leads with 9.92% vs 6.37% for AAVM. On fees, IVAL is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, AAVM has been the lower-risk option at 4.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AAVM or IVAL?

Over the 5-year period, IVAL has performed better with a 9.92% return vs 6.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAVM or IVAL?

IVAL is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for AAVM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAVM or IVAL?

IVAL has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 1.81% for AAVM.

What is the main difference between AAVM and IVAL?

AAVM is categorized as Multi-factor, while IVAL is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for AAVM and 0.39% for IVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.76), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.