AVLC vs. AVMU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AVLC (Avantis U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF) and AVMU (Avantis Core Municipal Fixed Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Century, while AVMU is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by American Century. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, AVLC returned 34.32% vs 8.38% for AVMU. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

AVLC vs. AVMU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (AVLC) and Avantis Core Municipal Fixed Income ETF (AVMU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVLC achieves a 15.30% return, which is significantly higher than AVMU's 1.64% return.

AVLC

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 5.57%
• YTD: 15.30%
• 6M: 16.17%
• 1Y: 34.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVMU

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.64%
• 6M: 2.78%
• 1Y: 8.38%
• 3Y*: 3.73%
• 5Y*: 0.97%
• 10Y*: —

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

AVLC vs. AVMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
AVLC Avantis U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	15.30%	17.57%	22.82%	12.05%
AVMU Avantis Core Municipal Fixed Income ETF	1.64%	3.87%	1.72%	6.72%

Correlation

The correlation between AVLC and AVMU is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2023	0.15

Return for Risk

AVLC vs. AVMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVLC

AVLC Risk / Return Rank: 84
AVLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
AVLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AVLC Omega Ratio Rank: 82
AVLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
AVLC Martin Ratio Rank: 89

AVMU

AVMU Risk / Return Rank: 70
AVMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
AVMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
AVMU Omega Ratio Rank: 87
AVMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
AVMU Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

AVLC vs. AVMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (AVLC) and Avantis Core Municipal Fixed Income ETF (AVMU). 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.

	AVLC	AVMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.78	2.58	+0.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.74	3.91	-0.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.55	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.39	2.39	+2.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.29	9.05	+11.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVLC vs. AVMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVLC Sharpe Ratio is 2.78, which is comparable to the AVMU Sharpe Ratio of 2.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVLC and AVMU, 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

	AVLC	AVMU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.78	2.58	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.24	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.68	0.23	+1.45

Drawdowns

AVLC vs. AVMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVLC drawdown since its inception was -19.64%, which is greater than AVMU's maximum drawdown of -12.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVLC and AVMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVLC	AVMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.64%	-12.41%	-7.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.00%	-3.32%	-4.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-6.38%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-12.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.59%	+0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.98%	-3.77%	+1.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	0.88%	+0.85%

Volatility

AVLC vs. AVMU - Volatility Comparison

Avantis U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (AVLC) has a higher volatility of 3.04% compared to Avantis Core Municipal Fixed Income ETF (AVMU) at 1.19%. This indicates that AVLC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVMU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVLC	AVMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.04%	1.19%	+1.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.25%	2.32%	+6.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.40%	3.29%	+9.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.70%	4.13%	+11.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.70%	3.99%	+11.71%

AVLC vs. AVMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AVLC and AVMU have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AVLC vs. AVMU - Dividend Comparison

AVLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, less than AVMU's 3.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AVLC Avantis U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF	0.78%	0.92%	1.09%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%
AVMU Avantis Core Municipal Fixed Income ETF	3.22%	3.50%	3.32%	2.50%	1.29%	0.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVLC and AVMU in my portfolio?

AVLC and AVMU have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVLC or AVMU?

AVLC has higher volatility (3.04%) compared to AVMU (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVLC dropped -19.64% vs AVMU's -12.41%.

Which ETF is better, AVLC or AVMU?

On 1-year performance, AVLC leads with 34.32% vs 8.38% for AVMU. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, AVMU has been the lower-risk option at 1.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVLC or AVMU?

Over the 1-year period, AVLC has performed better with a 34.32% return vs 8.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVLC or AVMU?

AVLC and AVMU have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVLC or AVMU?

AVMU has the higher dividend yield at 3.22%, compared with 0.78% for AVLC.

What is the main difference between AVLC and AVMU?

AVLC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while AVMU is Municipal Bonds.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 2.58), 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.