AVEM vs. VWO
AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. AVEM is actively managed, while VWO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVEM returned 9.32%/yr vs 6.08%/yr for VWO. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. AVEM charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.
Performance
AVEM vs. VWO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AVEM achieves a 16.96% return, which is significantly higher than VWO's 9.41% return.
AVEM
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -3.17%
- 6M
- 8.33%
- YTD
- 16.96%
- 1Y
- 33.47%
- 3Y*
- 19.94%
- 5Y*
- 9.32%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 11.56%
VWO
- 1D
- 0.96%
- 1M
- -0.49%
- 6M
- 4.16%
- YTD
- 9.41%
- 1Y
- 21.69%
- 3Y*
- 14.84%
- 5Y*
- 6.08%
- 10Y*
- 7.86%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.81%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $186.43M | $193.15M | $184.15M | |
| $386.61M | $469.40M | $499.89M |
AVEM vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 16.96% | 34.48% | 7.49% | 15.30% | -18.15% | 5.16% | 14.39% | 10.40% |
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 9.41% | 25.60% | 10.59% | 9.25% | -17.98% | 1.26% | 15.17% | 9.38% |
Correlation
The correlation between AVEM and VWO is 0.93, 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. | 0.93 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 19, 2019 | 0.97 |
The correlation between AVEM and VWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
AVEM vs. VWO - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
AVEM
VWO
Technology
Financial Services
Industrials
Consumer Cyclical
Basic Materials
Communication Services
Energy
Consumer Defensive
Healthcare
Utilities
Real Estate
Technology
AVEM
VWO
Financial Services
AVEM
VWO
Industrials
AVEM
VWO
Consumer Cyclical
AVEM
VWO
Basic Materials
AVEM
VWO
Communication Services
AVEM
VWO
Energy
AVEM
VWO
Consumer Defensive
AVEM
VWO
Healthcare
AVEM
VWO
Utilities
AVEM
VWO
Real Estate
AVEM
VWO
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Return for Risk
AVEM vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank
AVEM
VWO
AVEM vs. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.
| AVEM | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.22 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.27 | 1.89 | +0.37 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.27 | 6.16 | +1.10 |
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Drawdowns
AVEM vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AVEM drawdown since its inception was -36.05%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVEM and VWO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AVEM | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.05% | -67.68% | +31.63% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.28% | -11.17% | -3.11% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.02% | -17.37% | -0.65% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.81% | -30.88% | -0.93% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -36.39% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.65% | -4.07% | -6.58% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.02% | -15.73% | +5.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.45% | 3.43% | +1.02% |
Volatility
AVEM vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison
Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) has a higher volatility of 8.84% compared to Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) at 5.58%. This indicates that AVEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AVEM | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.84% | 5.58% | +3.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.85% | 15.22% | +6.63% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.91% | 17.58% | +6.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.33% | 17.56% | +1.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.07% | 19.17% | +1.90% |
AVEM vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison
AVEM has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
AVEM vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison
AVEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.96%, less than VWO's 2.35% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 1.96% | 2.45% | 3.17% | 3.06% | 2.77% | 2.61% | 1.60% | 0.35% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 2.35% | 2.79% | 3.20% | 3.52% | 4.11% | 2.63% | 1.91% | 3.23% | 2.88% | 2.30% | 2.52% | 3.26% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.93, AVEM and VWO 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.
AVEM has higher volatility (8.84%) compared to VWO (5.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVEM dropped -36.05% vs VWO's -67.68%.
On 5-year performance, AVEM leads with 9.32% vs 6.08% for VWO. On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VWO has been the lower-risk option at 5.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, AVEM has performed better with a 9.32% return vs 6.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for AVEM.
VWO has the higher dividend yield at 2.35%, compared with 1.96% for AVEM.
They also come from different issuers: Avantis and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for AVEM and 0.08% for VWO.
AVEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.20), 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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