AVUQ vs. QLTY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AVUQ (Avantis U.S. Quality ETF) and QLTY (GMO U.S. Quality ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while QLTY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. AVUQ is actively managed, while QLTY is passively managed. Over the past year, AVUQ returned 24.50% vs 23.44% for QLTY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVUQ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for QLTY.

Performance

AVUQ vs. QLTY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUQ achieves a 7.35% return, which is significantly higher than QLTY's 5.56% return.

AVUQ

• 1D: -1.77%
• 1M: -2.27%
• YTD: 7.35%
• 6M: 6.08%
• 1Y: 24.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QLTY

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.19%
• YTD: 5.56%
• 6M: 4.84%
• 1Y: 23.44%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AVUQ vs. QLTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	7.35%	21.84%
QLTY GMO U.S. Quality ETF	5.56%	22.21%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUQ and QLTY is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.86

The correlation between AVUQ and QLTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUQ vs. QLTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUQ	QLTY
Technology	48.7%	40.1%
Consumer Cyclical	14.2%	7.5%
Communication Services	11.8%	11.7%
Industrials	7.6%	4.3%
Financial Services	5.4%	7.8%
Healthcare	5.4%	22.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	6.5%
Energy	2.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Utilities	0.7%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

AVUQ vs. QLTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUQ

AVUQ Risk / Return Rank: 45
AVUQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
AVUQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
AVUQ Omega Ratio Rank: 43
AVUQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
AVUQ Martin Ratio Rank: 50

QLTY

QLTY Risk / Return Rank: 53
QLTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
QLTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
QLTY Omega Ratio Rank: 56
QLTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
QLTY Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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. QLTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) and GMO U.S. Quality ETF (QLTY). 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.

	AVUQ	QLTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	1.87	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.65	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.33	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	2.01	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.13	8.15	-0.03

AVUQ vs. QLTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is comparable to the QLTY Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUQ and QLTY, 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

AVUQ vs. QLTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUQ drawdown since its inception was -12.35%, smaller than the maximum QLTY drawdown of -17.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUQ and QLTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUQ	QLTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.35%	-17.00%	+4.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.61%	-11.71%	+0.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.42%	-2.89%	-1.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.17%	-2.04%	-0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	2.88%	+0.14%

Volatility

AVUQ vs. QLTY - Volatility Comparison

Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) has a higher volatility of 5.97% compared to GMO U.S. Quality ETF (QLTY) at 4.05%. This indicates that AVUQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUQ	QLTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.97%	4.05%	+1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.59%	9.74%	+2.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.14%	12.65%	+3.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.67%	14.68%	+4.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.67%	14.68%	+4.99%

AVUQ vs. QLTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUQ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than QLTY's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVUQ vs. QLTY - Dividend Comparison

AVUQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than QLTY's 0.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	0.46%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%
QLTY GMO U.S. Quality ETF	0.72%	0.73%	0.79%	0.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUQ and QLTY in my portfolio?

AVUQ and QLTY have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVUQ or QLTY?

AVUQ has higher volatility (5.97%) compared to QLTY (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUQ dropped -12.35% vs QLTY's -17.00%.

Which ETF is better, AVUQ or QLTY?

On 1-year performance, AVUQ leads with 24.50% vs 23.44% for QLTY. On fees, AVUQ is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QLTY has been the lower-risk option at 4.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUQ or QLTY?

Over the 1-year period, AVUQ has performed better with a 24.50% return vs 23.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUQ or QLTY?

AVUQ is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for QLTY.

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

QLTY has the higher dividend yield at 0.72%, compared with 0.46% for AVUQ.

What is the main difference between AVUQ and QLTY?

AVUQ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QLTY is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and GMO. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVUQ and 0.50% for QLTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.53), 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.