AVDS vs. DFIV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVDS (Avantis International Small Cap Equity ETF) and DFIV (Dimensional International Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVDS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while DFIV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, AVDS returned 32.62% vs 34.88% for DFIV. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVDS charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFIV.

Performance

AVDS vs. DFIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis International Small Cap Equity ETF (AVDS) and Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with AVDS having a 12.02% return and DFIV slightly lower at 11.54%.

AVDS

• 1D: -1.09%
• 1M: 2.73%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 15.40%
• 1Y: 32.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFIV

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 2.57%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 15.41%
• 1Y: 34.88%
• 3Y*: 23.90%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AVDS vs. DFIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
AVDS Avantis International Small Cap Equity ETF	12.02%	38.18%	3.20%	3.79%
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	11.54%	45.36%	7.26%	2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between AVDS and DFIV is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2023	0.90

The correlation between AVDS and DFIV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVDS vs. DFIV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVDS	DFIV
Industrials	22.6%	9.6%
Basic Materials	17.0%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	9.6%
Financial Services	12.1%	32.4%
Technology	9.7%	2.8%
Energy	6.1%	16.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	4.9%
Healthcare	4.5%	4.9%
Real Estate	3.2%	1.8%
Utilities	3.2%	2.5%
Communication Services	2.9%	4.2%

Return for Risk

AVDS vs. DFIV — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVDS

AVDS Risk / Return Rank: 61
AVDS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
AVDS Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
AVDS Omega Ratio Rank: 64
AVDS Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
AVDS Martin Ratio Rank: 57

DFIV

DFIV Risk / Return Rank: 75
DFIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
DFIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DFIV Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DFIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DFIV Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

AVDS vs. DFIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis International Small Cap Equity ETF (AVDS) and Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV). 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.

	AVDS	DFIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.56	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	3.50	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.46	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	3.63	-0.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.24	14.02	-3.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVDS vs. DFIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVDS Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the DFIV Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVDS and DFIV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AVDS	DFIV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.56	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.26	0.94	+0.33

Drawdowns

AVDS vs. DFIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVDS drawdown since its inception was -13.51%, smaller than the maximum DFIV drawdown of -25.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVDS and DFIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVDS	DFIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.51%	-25.42%	+11.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.44%	-9.66%	-2.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.73%	-1.02%	-0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.84%	-4.48%	+1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	2.49%	+0.70%

Volatility

AVDS vs. DFIV - Volatility Comparison

Avantis International Small Cap Equity ETF (AVDS) has a higher volatility of 4.46% compared to Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) at 3.89%. This indicates that AVDS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVDS	DFIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.46%	3.89%	+0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.43%	10.99%	+1.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.87%	13.69%	+1.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.36%	16.63%	-1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.36%	16.63%	-1.27%

AVDS vs. DFIV - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVDS has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIV's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVDS vs. DFIV - Dividend Comparison

AVDS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.16%, less than DFIV's 2.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AVDS Avantis International Small Cap Equity ETF	2.16%	2.37%	3.07%	0.72%	0.00%	0.00%
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	2.55%	2.92%	3.88%	3.93%	3.84%	2.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVDS and DFIV in my portfolio?

AVDS and DFIV have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVDS or DFIV?

AVDS has higher volatility (4.46%) compared to DFIV (3.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVDS dropped -13.51% vs DFIV's -25.42%.

Which ETF is better, AVDS or DFIV?

On 1-year performance, DFIV leads with 34.88% vs 32.62% for AVDS. On fees, DFIV is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, DFIV has been the lower-risk option at 3.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVDS or DFIV?

Over the 1-year period, DFIV has performed better with a 34.88% return vs 32.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVDS or DFIV?

DFIV is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for AVDS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVDS or DFIV?

DFIV has the higher dividend yield at 2.55%, compared with 2.16% for AVDS.

What is the main difference between AVDS and DFIV?

AVDS is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while DFIV is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for AVDS and 0.27% for DFIV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.21), 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.