AVUQ vs. GARP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVUQ (Avantis U.S. Quality ETF) and GARP (iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. AVUQ is actively managed, while GARP is passively managed. Over the past year, AVUQ returned 30.44% vs 43.57% for GARP. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

AVUQ vs. GARP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) and iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUQ achieves a 11.23% return, which is significantly lower than GARP's 21.29% return.

AVUQ

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 4.87%
• YTD: 11.23%
• 6M: 11.01%
• 1Y: 30.44%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GARP

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 11.92%
• YTD: 21.29%
• 6M: 21.80%
• 1Y: 43.57%
• 3Y*: 33.60%
• 5Y*: 20.26%
• 10Y*: —

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

AVUQ vs. GARP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	11.23%	22.52%
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	21.29%	29.90%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUQ and GARP is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2025	0.93

The correlation between AVUQ and GARP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUQ vs. GARP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUQ	GARP
Technology	46.3%	56.7%
Consumer Cyclical	15.1%	6.1%
Communication Services	12.2%	12.0%
Industrials	7.7%	6.9%
Financial Services	5.8%	7.5%
Healthcare	5.3%	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	-
Energy	2.5%	2.7%
Basic Materials	1.1%	0.9%
Utilities	0.8%	1.4%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.4%

Return for Risk

AVUQ vs. GARP — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUQ

AVUQ Risk / Return Rank: 56
AVUQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
AVUQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
AVUQ Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AVUQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
AVUQ Martin Ratio Rank: 59

GARP

GARP Risk / Return Rank: 68
GARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
GARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
GARP Omega Ratio Rank: 67
GARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GARP Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

AVUQ vs. GARP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) and iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP). 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.

	AVUQ	GARP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	2.45	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	3.18	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.41	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	3.20	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.45	12.85	-2.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVUQ vs. GARP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the GARP Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUQ and GARP, 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

	AVUQ	GARP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	2.45	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.93	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.55	0.90	+0.65

Drawdowns

AVUQ vs. GARP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUQ drawdown since its inception was -11.86%, smaller than the maximum GARP drawdown of -31.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUQ and GARP.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUQ	GARP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.86%	-31.34%	+19.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.61%	-13.69%	+2.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.73%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.96%	-0.73%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.08%	-7.36%	+5.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	3.40%	-0.48%

Volatility

AVUQ vs. GARP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) is 3.61%, while iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) has a volatility of 5.03%. This indicates that AVUQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GARP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUQ	GARP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	5.03%	-1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.59%	13.89%	-2.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.30%	17.89%	-2.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.42%	21.97%	-2.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.42%	23.89%	-4.47%

AVUQ vs. GARP - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AVUQ and GARP 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

AVUQ vs. GARP - Dividend Comparison

AVUQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, more than GARP's 0.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	0.35%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	0.25%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUQ and GARP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, AVUQ and GARP 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, AVUQ or GARP?

GARP has higher volatility (5.03%) compared to AVUQ (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUQ dropped -11.86% vs GARP's -31.34%.

Which ETF is better, AVUQ or GARP?

On 1-year performance, GARP leads with 43.57% vs 30.44% for AVUQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, AVUQ has been the lower-risk option at 3.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUQ or GARP?

Over the 1-year period, GARP has performed better with a 43.57% return vs 30.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUQ or GARP?

AVUQ and GARP have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVUQ or GARP?

AVUQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.35%, compared with 0.25% for GARP.

What is the main difference between AVUQ and GARP?

They also come from different issuers: Avantis and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GARP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.00), 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.