AVIE vs. RAFE

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AVIE (Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. AVIE is actively managed, while RAFE is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVIE returned 12.51%/yr vs 19.17%/yr for RAFE. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AVIE charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

AVIE vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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 AVIE having a 17.73% return and RAFE slightly lower at 17.29%.

AVIE

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 1.80%
• 6M: 11.12%
• YTD: 17.73%
• 1Y: 31.22%
• 3Y*: 12.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.28%

RAFE

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 1.64%
• 6M: 14.11%
• YTD: 17.29%
• 1Y: 32.43%
• 3Y*: 19.17%
• 5Y*: 11.73%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.75%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	$128.23K	$114.60K	$100.90K
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	$455.18K	$476.38K	$608.93K

AVIE vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	17.73%	11.37%	6.17%	4.19%	15.20%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	17.29%	17.60%	13.81%	18.80%	7.47%

Correlation

The correlation between AVIE and RAFE is 0.46, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2022	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between AVIE and RAFE has dropped to 0.46 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

AVIE vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AVIE

AVIE Risk / Return Rank: 96
AVIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
AVIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
AVIE Omega Ratio Rank: 95
AVIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
AVIE Martin Ratio Rank: 95

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 94
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 94
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AVIE vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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.

	AVIE	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.15	2.87	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.59	3.96	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.51	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.31	4.37	+1.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.51	17.37	+4.14

AVIE vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVIE Sharpe Ratio is 3.15, which is comparable to the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVIE and RAFE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AVIE vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVIE drawdown since its inception was -12.39%, smaller than the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVIE and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVIE	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.39%	-35.74%	+23.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.97%	-7.46%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.39%	-16.36%	+3.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.45%	-0.45%	-1.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.93%	-6.08%	+3.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.46%	1.87%	-0.41%

Volatility

AVIE vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF (AVIE) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) have volatilities of 3.03% and 2.99%, 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

	AVIE	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	2.99%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.50%	8.71%	-1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.99%	11.39%	-1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.85%	15.05%	-2.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.85%	19.27%	-6.42%

AVIE vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVIE has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVIE vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

AVIE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, less than RAFE's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AVIE Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF	1.41%	1.75%	1.89%	3.72%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.47%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVIE and RAFE in my portfolio?

AVIE and RAFE have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVIE or RAFE?

AVIE has higher volatility (3.03%) compared to RAFE (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVIE dropped -12.39% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, AVIE or RAFE?

On 3-year performance, RAFE leads with 19.17% vs 12.51% for AVIE. On fees, AVIE is cheaper at 0.25% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVIE or RAFE?

Over the 3-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 19.17% return vs 12.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVIE or RAFE?

AVIE is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for RAFE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVIE or RAFE?

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 1.41% for AVIE.

What is the main difference between AVIE and RAFE?

They also come from different issuers: Avantis and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVIE and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVIE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 2.87), 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.