AVEM vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVEM returned 8.32%/yr vs 10.66%/yr for AVUV. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AVEM charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

AVEM vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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 AVEM having a 18.53% return and AVUV slightly lower at 17.68%.

AVEM

• 1D: -6.45%
• 1M: -3.75%
• YTD: 18.53%
• 6M: 20.01%
• 1Y: 41.65%
• 3Y*: 22.68%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: —

AVUV

• 1D: -1.44%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 17.68%
• 6M: 17.05%
• 1Y: 37.41%
• 3Y*: 18.50%
• 5Y*: 10.66%
• 10Y*: —

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

AVEM vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	18.53%	34.48%	7.49%	15.30%	-18.15%	5.16%	14.39%	11.86%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	17.68%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.50%

Correlation

The correlation between AVEM and AVUV is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.58

The correlation between AVEM and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVEM vs. AVUV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVEM	AVUV
Technology	32.3%	7.0%
Financial Services	20.7%	25.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	18.0%
Industrials	9.2%	13.9%
Basic Materials	8.1%	4.9%
Communication Services	5.4%	2.8%
Energy	5.1%	18.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	4.5%
Healthcare	2.8%	4.2%
Utilities	2.6%	0.1%
Real Estate	1.6%	0.7%

Return for Risk

AVEM vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVEM

AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 64
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 65
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 71
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 62
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

AVEM vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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.

	AVEM	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.14	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	3.06	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.37	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	4.73	-1.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.47	14.03	-1.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVEM vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVEM and AVUV, 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

	AVEM	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	2.14	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.47	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.56	+0.03

Drawdowns

AVEM vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVEM drawdown since its inception was -36.05%, smaller than the maximum AVUV drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVEM and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVEM	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.05%	-49.42%	+13.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.13%	-7.95%	-5.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.02%	-28.79%	+10.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.88%	-28.79%	-5.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.39%	-1.44%	-6.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.09%	-7.94%	-2.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.35%	2.67%	+0.68%

Volatility

AVEM vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) has a higher volatility of 10.35% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.30%. This indicates that AVEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVEM	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.35%	4.30%	+6.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.10%	11.36%	+6.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.54%	17.56%	+2.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.56%	22.74%	-4.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.70%	28.29%	-7.59%

AVEM vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVEM has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVEM vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

AVEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.13%, more than AVUV's 1.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.13%	2.45%	3.17%	3.06%	2.77%	2.61%	1.60%	0.35%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.30%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVEM and AVUV in my portfolio?

AVEM and AVUV have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVEM or AVUV?

AVEM has higher volatility (10.35%) compared to AVUV (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVEM dropped -36.05% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which ETF is better, AVEM or AVUV?

On 5-year performance, AVUV leads with 10.66% vs 8.32% for AVEM. On fees, AVUV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, AVUV has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVEM or AVUV?

Over the 5-year period, AVUV has performed better with a 10.66% return vs 8.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVEM or AVUV?

AVUV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for AVEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVEM or AVUV?

AVEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.13%, compared with 1.30% for AVUV.

What is the main difference between AVEM and AVUV?

AVEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while AVUV is Small Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for AVEM and 0.25% for AVUV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 2.04), 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.