AVSC vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVSC (Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVSC is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSC returned 17.09%/yr vs 25.93%/yr for VUG. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AVSC charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

AVSC vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVSC achieves a 16.85% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 9.49% return.

AVSC

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: 16.85%
• 6M: 16.56%
• 1Y: 38.76%
• 3Y*: 17.09%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VUG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 6.22%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 25.93%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 18.26%

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

AVSC vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	16.85%	9.42%	7.75%	19.68%	-11.72%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-28.62%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSC and VUG is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2022	0.65

The correlation between AVSC and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (3 years) to 0.65 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AVSC vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVSC	VUG
Financial Services	22.4%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	14.9%	12.2%
Industrials	13.0%	3.6%
Technology	12.6%	53.5%
Healthcare	11.5%	4.6%
Energy	9.5%	0.4%
Basic Materials	5.5%	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	1.5%
Communication Services	3.0%	17.3%
Utilities	2.0%	0.9%
Real Estate	0.9%	1.0%

Return for Risk

AVSC vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVSC

AVSC Risk / Return Rank: 70
AVSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
AVSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
AVSC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
AVSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
AVSC Martin Ratio Rank: 78

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

AVSC vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.

	AVSC	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	1.77	+0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	2.40	+0.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.31	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.93	1.69	+3.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.33	5.92	+9.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVSC vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSC Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSC and VUG, 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

	AVSC	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	1.77	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.62	-0.22

Drawdowns

AVSC vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSC drawdown since its inception was -28.40%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSC and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSC	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.40%	-50.68%	+22.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.89%	-16.53%	+8.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.40%	-22.85%	-5.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.32%	-1.51%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.37%	-7.09%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	4.71%	-2.17%

Volatility

AVSC vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) has a higher volatility of 4.49% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.83%. This indicates that AVSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVSC	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	3.83%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	12.11%	-0.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.10%	15.84%	+2.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.34%	22.22%	+0.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.34%	21.44%	+0.90%

AVSC vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVSC has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AVSC vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

AVSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	0.92%	1.16%	1.17%	1.42%	1.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSC and VUG in my portfolio?

AVSC and VUG have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVSC or VUG?

AVSC has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to VUG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSC dropped -28.40% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, AVSC or VUG?

On 3-year performance, VUG leads with 25.93% vs 17.09% for AVSC. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSC or VUG?

Over the 3-year period, VUG has performed better with a 25.93% return vs 17.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSC or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AVSC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVSC or VUG?

AVSC has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between AVSC and VUG?

AVSC is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. AVSC tracks Russell 2000 Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVSC and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.77), 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.