AVSU vs. SPTM

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

AVSU (Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF) and SPTM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - AVSU tracks the Russell 3000 Index while SPTM tracks the S&P Composite 1500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSU returned 21.68%/yr vs 20.55%/yr for SPTM. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVSU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPTM.

Performance

AVSU vs. SPTM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVSU achieves a 14.88% return, which is significantly higher than SPTM's 8.77% return.

AVSU

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 0.92%
• YTD: 14.88%
• 6M: 13.40%
• 1Y: 31.03%
• 3Y*: 21.68%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPTM

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -1.63%
• YTD: 8.77%
• 6M: 7.38%
• 1Y: 22.69%
• 3Y*: 20.55%
• 5Y*: 12.63%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

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

AVSU vs. SPTM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	14.88%	16.69%	19.16%	24.50%	-10.86%
SPTM SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF	8.77%	16.93%	23.87%	25.55%	-10.49%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSU and SPTM is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 17, 2022	0.97

The correlation between AVSU and SPTM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVSU vs. SPTM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVSU	SPTM
Technology	34.8%	37.4%
Financial Services	17.9%	11.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	10.1%
Communication Services	11.1%	10.0%
Healthcare	8.7%	8.4%
Industrials	8.4%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	4.4%
Basic Materials	1.2%	1.9%
Utilities	0.4%	2.1%
Real Estate	0.2%	2.2%
Energy	0.1%	3.3%

Return for Risk

AVSU vs. SPTM — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVSU

AVSU Risk / Return Rank: 78
AVSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
AVSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AVSU Omega Ratio Rank: 78
AVSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
AVSU Martin Ratio Rank: 81

SPTM

SPTM Risk / Return Rank: 65
SPTM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SPTM Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPTM Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SPTM Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPTM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. SPTM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM). 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	SPTM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	1.83	+0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	2.51	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.33	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	2.62	+0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.86	11.72	+2.14

AVSU vs. SPTM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSU Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the SPTM Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSU and SPTM, 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. SPTM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSU drawdown since its inception was -21.67%, smaller than the maximum SPTM drawdown of -54.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSU and SPTM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSU	SPTM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.67%	-54.80%	+33.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.06%	-8.68%	-1.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.16%	-18.87%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.14%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.66%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-2.75%	+1.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.41%	-9.03%	+3.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	1.94%	+0.30%

Volatility

AVSU vs. SPTM - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) has a higher volatility of 5.21% compared to SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) at 4.71%. This indicates that AVSU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPTM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVSU	SPTM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.21%	4.71%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.21%	9.77%	+1.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.95%	12.44%	+1.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.90%	16.96%	+0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.90%	18.04%	-0.14%

AVSU vs. SPTM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVSU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTM'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

AVSU vs. SPTM - Dividend Comparison

AVSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than SPTM's 1.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	0.90%	1.03%	1.22%	1.22%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPTM SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF	1.08%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.56%	1.72%	1.90%	1.66%	1.91%	1.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSU and SPTM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, AVSU and SPTM 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 SPTM?

AVSU has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to SPTM (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSU dropped -21.67% vs SPTM's -54.80%.

Which ETF is better, AVSU or SPTM?

On 3-year performance, AVSU leads with 21.68% vs 20.55% for SPTM. On fees, SPTM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPTM has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSU or SPTM?

Over the 3-year period, AVSU has performed better with a 21.68% return vs 20.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSU or SPTM?

SPTM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AVSU.

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

SPTM has the higher dividend yield at 1.08%, compared with 0.90% for AVSU.

What is the main difference between AVSU and SPTM?

AVSU tracks Russell 3000 Index, while SPTM tracks S&P Composite 1500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVSU and 0.03% for SPTM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVSU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.83), 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.