AVDV vs. DFIV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVDV (Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF) and DFIV (Dimensional International Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVDV 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 3 years, AVDV returned 28.01%/yr vs 23.90%/yr for DFIV. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVDV charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFIV.

Performance

AVDV vs. DFIV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVDV achieves a 16.04% return, which is significantly higher than DFIV's 11.54% return.

AVDV

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 3.98%
• YTD: 16.04%
• 6M: 19.54%
• 1Y: 44.23%
• 3Y*: 28.01%
• 5Y*: 13.72%
• 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)

AVDV vs. DFIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	16.04%	49.37%	8.67%	16.85%	-11.47%	-2.85%
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	11.54%	45.36%	7.26%	17.75%	-3.70%	0.08%

Correlation

The correlation between AVDV and DFIV is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2021	0.93

The correlation between AVDV and DFIV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVDV vs. DFIV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVDV	DFIV
Basic Materials	22.5%	10.9%
Industrials	21.3%	9.6%
Consumer Cyclical	14.4%	9.6%
Financial Services	13.7%	32.4%
Energy	10.8%	16.4%
Technology	6.4%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	4.9%
Healthcare	2.1%	4.9%
Communication Services	2.0%	4.2%
Utilities	1.7%	2.5%
Real Estate	1.1%	1.8%

Return for Risk

AVDV vs. DFIV — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVDV

AVDV Risk / Return Rank: 78
AVDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
AVDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AVDV Omega Ratio Rank: 84
AVDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
AVDV Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

AVDV vs. DFIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) 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.

	AVDV	DFIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.86	2.56	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.79	3.50	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.46	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	3.63	-0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.67	14.02	-0.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVDV vs. DFIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.86, which is comparable to the DFIV Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVDV 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

	AVDV	DFIV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.86	2.56	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.94	-0.14

Drawdowns

AVDV vs. DFIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVDV drawdown since its inception was -43.01%, which is greater than DFIV's maximum drawdown of -25.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVDV and DFIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVDV	DFIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.01%	-25.42%	-17.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.19%	-9.66%	-3.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.17%	-14.72%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.08%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.35%	-1.02%	-0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.77%	-4.48%	-2.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.24%	2.49%	+0.75%

Volatility

AVDV vs. DFIV - Volatility Comparison

Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) has a higher volatility of 4.92% compared to Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) at 3.89%. This indicates that AVDV'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

	AVDV	DFIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.92%	3.89%	+1.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.07%	10.99%	+2.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.56%	13.69%	+1.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.30%	16.63%	+0.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.73%	16.63%	+3.10%

AVDV vs. DFIV - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVDV has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIV's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVDV vs. DFIV - Dividend Comparison

AVDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.74%, more than DFIV's 2.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	2.74%	3.05%	4.31%	3.29%	3.17%	2.39%	1.67%	0.36%
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	2.55%	2.92%	3.88%	3.93%	3.84%	2.30%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVDV and DFIV in my portfolio?

AVDV and DFIV have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVDV or DFIV?

AVDV has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to DFIV (3.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVDV dropped -43.01% vs DFIV's -25.42%.

Which ETF is better, AVDV or DFIV?

On 3-year performance, AVDV leads with 28.01% vs 23.90% for DFIV. 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, AVDV or DFIV?

Over the 3-year period, AVDV has performed better with a 28.01% return vs 23.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVDV or DFIV?

DFIV is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for AVDV.

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

AVDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.74%, compared with 2.55% for DFIV.

What is the main difference between AVDV and DFIV?

AVDV 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: 0.36% for AVDV and 0.27% for DFIV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 2.56), 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.