AVSU vs. AVUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVSU (Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF) and AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVSU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 Index, while AVUS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by American Century. AVSU is passively managed, while AVUS is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSU returned 22.19%/yr vs 22.35%/yr for AVUS. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

AVSU vs. AVUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) and Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS). 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 AVSU having a 14.85% return and AVUS slightly lower at 14.42%.

AVSU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 6.75%
• YTD: 14.85%
• 6M: 15.47%
• 1Y: 33.58%
• 3Y*: 22.19%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVUS

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 14.42%
• 6M: 14.71%
• 1Y: 32.34%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: —

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

AVSU vs. AVUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	14.85%	16.69%	19.16%	24.50%	-11.70%
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	14.42%	16.68%	20.43%	21.77%	-9.10%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSU and AVUS is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2022	0.98

The correlation between AVSU and AVUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVSU vs. AVUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVSU	AVUS
Technology	33.2%	27.5%
Financial Services	18.6%	15.2%
Consumer Cyclical	13.1%	11.8%
Communication Services	11.0%	9.8%
Healthcare	8.9%	7.1%
Industrials	8.6%	11.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.4%
Basic Materials	1.1%	2.7%
Real Estate	0.3%	0.2%
Utilities	0.3%	2.5%
Energy	0.0%	7.4%

Return for Risk

AVSU vs. AVUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVSU

AVSU Risk / Return Rank: 75
AVSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
AVSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
AVSU Omega Ratio Rank: 75
AVSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
AVSU Martin Ratio Rank: 78

AVUS

AVUS Risk / Return Rank: 81
AVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 79
AVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AVUS Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

AVSU vs. AVUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) and Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS). 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.

	AVSU	AVUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	2.68	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	3.66	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.48	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	4.14	-0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.23	18.85	-3.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVSU vs. AVUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSU Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the AVUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSU and AVUS, 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

	AVSU	AVUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	2.68	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.80	+0.01

Drawdowns

AVSU vs. AVUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSU drawdown since its inception was -21.67%, smaller than the maximum AVUS drawdown of -37.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSU and AVUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSU	AVUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.67%	-37.04%	+15.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.06%	-7.85%	-2.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.16%	-19.74%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	-0.46%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.47%	-5.09%	-0.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	1.72%	+0.49%

Volatility

AVSU vs. AVUS - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) has a higher volatility of 3.87% compared to Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) at 2.98%. This indicates that AVSU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVSU	AVUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.87%	2.98%	+0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.32%	9.00%	+1.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	12.15%	+1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.87%	17.29%	+0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.87%	20.85%	-2.98%

AVSU vs. AVUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AVSU and AVUS 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

AVSU vs. AVUS - Dividend Comparison

AVSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than AVUS's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	0.87%	1.03%	1.22%	1.22%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	0.91%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSU and AVUS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, AVSU and AVUS 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.

Which is riskier, AVSU or AVUS?

AVSU has higher volatility (3.87%) compared to AVUS (2.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSU dropped -21.67% vs AVUS's -37.04%.

Which ETF is better, AVSU or AVUS?

On 3-year performance, AVUS leads with 22.35% vs 22.19% for AVSU. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, AVUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSU or AVUS?

Over the 3-year period, AVUS has performed better with a 22.35% return vs 22.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSU or AVUS?

AVSU and AVUS have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVSU or AVUS?

AVUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.87% for AVSU.

What is the main difference between AVSU and AVUS?

AVSU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while AVUS is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and American Century.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 2.52), 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.