AAVM vs. VFMF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF (AAVM) and Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF (VFMF).

AAVM and VFMF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. AAVM is an actively managed fund by Alpha Architect. It was launched on May 2, 2017. VFMF is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Feb 13, 2018.

Performance

AAVM vs. VFMF - Performance Comparison

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

AAVM vs. VFMF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AAVM Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF	6.19%	18.54%	12.07%	-0.74%	-7.00%	3.52%	4.69%	4.59%	-17.93%
VFMF Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF	3.32%	17.38%	15.60%	18.52%	-5.70%	30.05%	4.99%	22.34%	-11.29%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAVM achieves a 6.19% return, which is significantly higher than VFMF's 3.32% return.

AAVM

• 1D: 3.68%
• 1M: -7.57%
• YTD: 6.19%
• 6M: 11.24%
• 1Y: 30.33%
• 3Y*: 13.80%
• 5Y*: 5.09%
• 10Y*: —

VFMF

• 1D: 1.80%
• 1M: -4.04%
• YTD: 3.32%
• 6M: 8.39%
• 1Y: 24.79%
• 3Y*: 18.13%
• 5Y*: 11.66%
• 10Y*: —

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

AAVM vs. VFMF - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAVM has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VFMF's 0.18% expense ratio.

AAVM

Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF

VFMF

Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF

Return for Risk

AAVM vs. VFMF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAVM

AAVM Risk / Return Rank: 84
AAVM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AAVM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
AAVM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
AAVM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
AAVM Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VFMF

VFMF Risk / Return Rank: 78
VFMF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VFMF Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VFMF Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VFMF Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VFMF Martin Ratio Rank: 83

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAVM vs. VFMF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF (AAVM) and Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF (VFMF). 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.

	AAVM	VFMF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	1.33	+0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	1.90	+0.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.28	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	1.93	+0.45
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.49	8.90	+1.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAVM vs. VFMF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAVM Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is comparable to the VFMF Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAVM and VFMF, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AAVM	VFMF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.62	1.33	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.64	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.51	-0.24

Correlation

The correlation between AAVM and VFMF is 0.74, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

AAVM vs. VFMF - Dividend Comparison

AAVM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.93%, more than VFMF's 1.53% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAVM Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF	1.93%	2.05%	2.54%	4.13%	2.24%	0.82%	0.00%	1.76%	0.93%	0.81%
VFMF Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF	1.53%	1.54%	1.60%	1.78%	2.21%	1.39%	1.56%	1.61%	1.22%	0.00%

Drawdowns

AAVM vs. VFMF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAVM drawdown since its inception was -34.71%, smaller than the maximum VFMF drawdown of -41.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAVM and VFMF.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAVM	VFMF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.71%	-41.34%	+6.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.08%	-13.32%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.73%	-20.57%	-3.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.57%	-4.99%	-2.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.55%	-5.85%	-7.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	2.88%	+0.08%

Volatility

AAVM vs. VFMF - Volatility Comparison

Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF (AAVM) has a higher volatility of 8.08% compared to Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF (VFMF) at 4.62%. This indicates that AAVM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFMF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAVM	VFMF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.08%	4.62%	+3.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.74%	10.05%	+1.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.83%	18.79%	+0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.65%	18.25%	-2.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.82%	21.31%	-6.49%