AVDE vs. SPYM

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

AVDE (Avantis International Equity ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVDE is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. AVDE is actively managed, while SPYM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVDE returned 10.39%/yr vs 12.89%/yr for SPYM. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AVDE charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SPYM.

Performance

AVDE vs. SPYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis International Equity ETF (AVDE) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with AVDE having a 9.27% return and SPYM slightly higher at 9.47%.

AVDE

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: -1.74%
• 6M: 5.15%
• YTD: 9.27%
• 1Y: 23.56%
• 3Y*: 17.96%
• 5Y*: 10.39%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.70%

SPYM

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -0.60%
• 6M: 7.91%
• YTD: 9.47%
• 1Y: 19.65%
• 3Y*: 19.52%
• 5Y*: 12.89%
• 10Y*: 15.03%
• ALL TIME*: 11.15%

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

AVDE vs. SPYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVDE Avantis International Equity ETF	9.27%	38.05%	4.88%	17.18%	-13.68%	13.62%	8.26%	7.95%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	9.47%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-18.09%	28.78%	18.49%	8.75%

Correlation

The correlation between AVDE and SPYM is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.77

The correlation between AVDE and SPYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVDE vs. SPYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVDE	SPYM
Financial Services	24.9%	11.6%
Industrials	20.2%	8.4%
Basic Materials	10.3%	1.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	9.5%
Technology	8.7%	38.5%
Energy	6.9%	3.0%
Healthcare	5.9%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.5%
Utilities	4.0%	2.2%
Communication Services	3.8%	9.9%
Real Estate	1.4%	1.8%

Return for Risk

AVDE vs. SPYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVDE

AVDE Risk / Return Rank: 61
AVDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
AVDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
AVDE Omega Ratio Rank: 61
AVDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
AVDE Martin Ratio Rank: 62

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 64
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPYM Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

AVDE vs. SPYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis International Equity ETF (AVDE) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). 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.

	AVDE	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	1.57	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	2.19	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.28	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	2.22	-0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.96	9.63	-1.66

AVDE vs. SPYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is comparable to the SPYM Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVDE and SPYM, 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

AVDE vs. SPYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVDE drawdown since its inception was -36.99%, smaller than the maximum SPYM drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVDE and SPYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVDE	SPYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.99%	-54.46%	+17.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-8.90%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.46%	-18.72%	+5.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.73%	-24.48%	-4.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.52%	-2.01%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.08%	-7.12%	+1.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.97%	2.05%	+0.92%

Volatility

AVDE vs. SPYM - Volatility Comparison

Avantis International Equity ETF (AVDE) has a higher volatility of 3.83% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) at 3.43%. This indicates that AVDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVDE	SPYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	3.43%	+0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.14%	10.04%	+3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.23%	12.60%	+2.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.35%	16.90%	-0.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.86%	18.00%	+0.86%

AVDE vs. SPYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVDE has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYM's 0.02% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AVDE vs. SPYM - Dividend Comparison

AVDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, more than SPYM's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVDE Avantis International Equity ETF	2.49%	2.66%	3.29%	3.01%	2.79%	2.46%	1.63%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.04%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVDE and SPYM in my portfolio?

AVDE and SPYM have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVDE or SPYM?

AVDE has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to SPYM (3.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVDE dropped -36.99% vs SPYM's -54.46%.

Which ETF is better, AVDE or SPYM?

On 5-year performance, SPYM leads with 12.89% vs 10.39% for AVDE. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, SPYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVDE or SPYM?

Over the 5-year period, SPYM has performed better with a 12.89% return vs 10.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVDE or SPYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for AVDE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVDE or SPYM?

AVDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.49%, compared with 1.04% for SPYM.

What is the main difference between AVDE and SPYM?

AVDE is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SPYM is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for AVDE and 0.02% for SPYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.56), 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.