AVDV vs. OUNZ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

AVDV (Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF) and OUNZ (VanEck Merk Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - AVDV is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while OUNZ is a Precious Metals fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). AVDV is actively managed, while OUNZ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVDV returned 13.33%/yr vs 17.72%/yr for OUNZ. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AVDV charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for OUNZ.

Performance

AVDV vs. OUNZ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVDV achieves a 13.22% return, which is significantly higher than OUNZ's 0.29% return.

AVDV

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: -2.93%
• YTD: 13.22%
• 6M: 16.29%
• 1Y: 40.16%
• 3Y*: 26.61%
• 5Y*: 13.33%
• 10Y*: —

OUNZ

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: -8.43%
• YTD: 0.29%
• 6M: 3.12%
• 1Y: 30.33%
• 3Y*: 29.90%
• 5Y*: 17.72%
• 10Y*: 12.64%

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

AVDV vs. OUNZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	13.22%	49.37%	8.67%	16.85%	-11.47%	15.80%	5.01%	12.05%
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	0.29%	63.95%	26.75%	12.83%	-0.51%	-4.00%	24.71%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between AVDV and OUNZ is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.32

The correlation between AVDV and OUNZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (all time) to 0.50 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AVDV vs. OUNZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVDV	OUNZ
Basic Materials	22.5%	-
Industrials	21.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	14.4%	-
Financial Services	13.7%	-
Energy	10.8%	-
Technology	6.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	-
Healthcare	2.1%	-
Communication Services	2.0%	-
Utilities	1.7%	-
Real Estate	1.1%	100.0%

Return for Risk

AVDV vs. OUNZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVDV

AVDV Risk / Return Rank: 79
AVDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
AVDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AVDV Omega Ratio Rank: 84
AVDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
AVDV Martin Ratio Rank: 73

OUNZ

OUNZ Risk / Return Rank: 34
OUNZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
OUNZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
OUNZ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
OUNZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
OUNZ Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. OUNZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) and VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ). 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	OUNZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.54	1.14	+1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.35	1.53	+1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.23	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	1.52	+1.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.34	3.82	+8.53
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. OUNZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.54, which is higher than the OUNZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVDV and OUNZ, 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	OUNZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.54	1.14	+1.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.99	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.64	+0.13

Drawdowns

AVDV vs. OUNZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVDV drawdown since its inception was -43.01%, which is greater than OUNZ's maximum drawdown of -21.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVDV and OUNZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVDV	OUNZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.01%	-21.77%	-21.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.19%	-20.00%	+6.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.17%	-20.00%	+5.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.08%	-21.01%	-7.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.74%	-19.83%	+16.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.77%	-7.58%	+0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.26%	7.96%	-4.70%

Volatility

AVDV vs. OUNZ - Volatility Comparison

Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) and VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) have volatilities of 5.49% and 5.67%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVDV	OUNZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.49%	5.67%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.49%	23.29%	-9.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.92%	26.66%	-10.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.35%	17.99%	-0.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.75%	16.00%	+3.75%

AVDV vs. OUNZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVDV has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than OUNZ's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVDV vs. OUNZ - Dividend Comparison

AVDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.81%, while OUNZ has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	2.81%	3.05%	4.31%	3.29%	3.17%	2.39%	1.67%	0.36%
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVDV and OUNZ in my portfolio?

AVDV and OUNZ have a correlation of 0.50, 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 OUNZ?

OUNZ has higher volatility (5.67%) compared to AVDV (5.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVDV dropped -43.01% vs OUNZ's -21.77%.

Which ETF is better, AVDV or OUNZ?

On 5-year performance, OUNZ leads with 17.72% vs 13.33% for AVDV. On fees, OUNZ is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, AVDV has been the lower-risk option at 5.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVDV or OUNZ?

Over the 5-year period, OUNZ has performed better with a 17.72% return vs 13.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVDV or OUNZ?

OUNZ is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for AVDV.

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

AVDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.81%, compared with 0.00% for OUNZ.

What is the main difference between AVDV and OUNZ?

AVDV is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while OUNZ is Precious Metals. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and Merk. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for AVDV and 0.25% for OUNZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 1.14), 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.