AVSU vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVSU (Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - AVSU tracks the Russell 3000 Index while VTI tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSU returned 22.19%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for VTI. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVSU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

AVSU vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVSU achieves a 14.85% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 11.20% return.

AVSU

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

VTI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.99%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

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

AVSU vs. VTI - 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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-12.70%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSU and VTI 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 18, 2022	0.98

The correlation between AVSU and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVSU vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVSU	VTI
Technology	33.2%	33.5%
Financial Services	18.6%	12.0%
Consumer Cyclical	13.1%	10.0%
Communication Services	11.0%	10.3%
Healthcare	8.9%	9.2%
Industrials	8.6%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.7%
Basic Materials	1.1%	2.0%
Real Estate	0.3%	2.4%
Utilities	0.3%	2.3%
Energy	0.0%	3.7%

Return for Risk

AVSU vs. VTI — 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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	2.33	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	3.18	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.42	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	3.17	+0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.23	14.62	+0.60
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. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSU Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSU and VTI, 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	2.33	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.51	+0.30

Drawdowns

AVSU vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSU drawdown since its inception was -21.67%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSU and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSU	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.67%	-55.45%	+33.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.06%	-8.92%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.16%	-19.30%	-0.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	-0.72%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.47%	-8.03%	+2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	1.93%	+0.28%

Volatility

AVSU vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) has a higher volatility of 3.87% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.96%. This indicates that AVSU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVSU	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.87%	2.96%	+0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.32%	9.13%	+1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	12.17%	+1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.87%	17.40%	+0.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.87%	18.30%	-0.43%

AVSU vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVSU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI'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. VTI - Dividend Comparison

AVSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	0.87%	1.03%	1.22%	1.22%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSU and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, AVSU and VTI 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 VTI?

AVSU has higher volatility (3.87%) compared to VTI (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSU dropped -21.67% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, AVSU or VTI?

On 3-year performance, AVSU leads with 22.19% vs 22.07% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSU or VTI?

Over the 3-year period, AVSU has performed better with a 22.19% return vs 22.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSU or VTI?

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

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.87% for AVSU.

What is the main difference between AVSU and VTI?

AVSU tracks Russell 3000 Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVSU and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVSU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.33), 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.