AVSU vs. RAFE

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

AVSU (Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - AVSU tracks the Russell 3000 Index while RAFE tracks the RAFI ESG US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSU returned 21.35%/yr vs 19.09%/yr for RAFE. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVSU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

AVSU vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) 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 AVSU having a 14.15% return and RAFE slightly lower at 13.50%.

AVSU

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 1.57%
• YTD: 14.15%
• 6M: 12.67%
• 1Y: 30.04%
• 3Y*: 21.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

RAFE

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 13.50%
• 6M: 12.30%
• 1Y: 28.30%
• 3Y*: 19.09%
• 5Y*: 11.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

AVSU vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	14.15%	16.69%	19.16%	24.50%	-10.86%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	13.50%	17.60%	13.81%	18.80%	-7.81%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSU and RAFE is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 17, 2022	0.93

The correlation between AVSU and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AVSU vs. RAFE — 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: 77
AVSU Omega Ratio Rank: 74
AVSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
AVSU Martin Ratio Rank: 78

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 84
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 83
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	AVSU	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.48	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	3.46	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.44	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.81	-0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.43	14.74	-1.31

AVSU vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSU Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSU 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

AVSU vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSU drawdown since its inception was -21.67%, smaller than the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSU and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSU	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.67%	-35.74%	+14.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.06%	-7.46%	-2.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.16%	-16.36%	-3.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.86%	-1.21%	-0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.41%	-6.17%	+0.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	1.93%	+0.31%

Volatility

AVSU vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) has a higher volatility of 5.32% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 3.71%. This indicates that AVSU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVSU	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.32%	3.71%	+1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.21%	8.70%	+2.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.99%	11.51%	+2.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.91%	15.10%	+2.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.91%	19.39%	-1.48%

AVSU vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVSU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVSU vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

AVSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than RAFE's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	0.91%	1.03%	1.22%	1.22%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.50%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSU and RAFE in my portfolio?

AVSU and RAFE have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVSU or RAFE?

AVSU has higher volatility (5.32%) compared to RAFE (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSU dropped -21.67% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, AVSU or RAFE?

On 3-year performance, AVSU leads with 21.35% vs 19.09% for RAFE. On fees, AVSU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 3.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSU or RAFE?

Over the 3-year period, AVSU has performed better with a 21.35% return vs 19.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSU or RAFE?

AVSU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for RAFE.

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

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 0.91% for AVSU.

What is the main difference between AVSU and RAFE?

AVSU tracks Russell 3000 Index, while RAFE tracks RAFI ESG US Index. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVSU and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.16), 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.