AVDV vs. VSS
AVDV (Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF) and VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. AVDV is actively managed, while VSS is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVDV returned 13.72%/yr vs 4.94%/yr for VSS. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AVDV charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSS.
Performance
AVDV vs. VSS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AVDV achieves a 12.96% return, which is significantly higher than VSS's 5.59% return.
AVDV
- 1D
- -0.48%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- 6M
- 4.97%
- YTD
- 12.96%
- 1Y
- 34.21%
- 3Y*
- 24.60%
- 5Y*
- 13.72%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 14.84%
VSS
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- -2.96%
- 6M
- -0.76%
- YTD
- 5.59%
- 1Y
- 16.61%
- 3Y*
- 13.20%
- 5Y*
- 4.94%
- 10Y*
- 7.53%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.62%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $74.82M | $104.24M | $85.42M | |
| $26.20M | $30.06M | $40.76M |
AVDV vs. VSS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF | 12.96% | 49.37% | 8.67% | 16.85% | -11.47% | 15.80% | 5.01% | 11.78% |
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF | 5.59% | 29.61% | 2.94% | 15.52% | -21.48% | 13.05% | 11.81% | 10.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between AVDV and VSS is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.91 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019 | 0.93 |
The correlation between AVDV and VSS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
AVDV vs. VSS - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
AVDV
VSS
Industrials
Basic Materials
Consumer Cyclical
Financial Services
Energy
Technology
Consumer Defensive
Healthcare
Communication Services
Utilities
Real Estate
Industrials
AVDV
VSS
Basic Materials
AVDV
VSS
Consumer Cyclical
AVDV
VSS
Financial Services
AVDV
VSS
Energy
AVDV
VSS
Technology
AVDV
VSS
Consumer Defensive
AVDV
VSS
Healthcare
AVDV
VSS
Communication Services
AVDV
VSS
Utilities
AVDV
VSS
Real Estate
AVDV
VSS
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Return for Risk
AVDV vs. VSS — Risk / Return Rank
AVDV
VSS
AVDV vs. VSS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). 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.
| AVDV | VSS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.34 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.19 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.64 | 1.43 | +1.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.60 | 4.54 | +5.05 |
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Drawdowns
AVDV vs. VSS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AVDV drawdown since its inception was -43.01%, roughly equal to the maximum VSS drawdown of -43.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVDV and VSS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AVDV | VSS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.01% | -43.51% | +0.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.19% | -11.62% | -1.57% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.17% | -15.73% | +1.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.08% | -33.93% | +5.85% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -43.51% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.96% | -6.97% | +3.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.71% | -9.60% | +2.89% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.63% | 3.65% | -0.02% |
Volatility
AVDV vs. VSS - Volatility Comparison
Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) has a higher volatility of 5.49% compared to Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) at 5.10%. This indicates that AVDV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AVDV | VSS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.49% | 5.10% | +0.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.73% | 14.40% | +0.33% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.82% | 16.22% | +0.60% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.43% | 16.68% | +0.75% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.72% | 17.14% | +2.58% |
AVDV vs. VSS - Expense Ratio Comparison
AVDV has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VSS's 0.07% expense ratio.
Dividends
AVDV vs. VSS - Dividend Comparison
AVDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, less than VSS's 3.31% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF | 2.80% | 3.05% | 4.31% | 3.29% | 3.17% | 2.39% | 1.67% | 0.36% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF | 3.31% | 3.39% | 3.44% | 3.14% | 2.30% | 2.74% | 1.90% | 3.25% | 2.80% | 2.83% | 2.93% | 2.66% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, AVDV and VSS move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
AVDV has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to VSS (5.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVDV dropped -43.01% vs VSS's -43.51%.
On 5-year performance, AVDV leads with 13.72% vs 4.94% for VSS. On fees, VSS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VSS has been the lower-risk option at 5.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, AVDV has performed better with a 13.72% return vs 4.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VSS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for AVDV.
VSS has the higher dividend yield at 3.31%, compared with 2.80% for AVDV.
They also come from different issuers: Avantis and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for AVDV and 0.07% for VSS.
AVDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.02), 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.
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