AVUQ vs. SPYG

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

AVUQ (Avantis U.S. Quality ETF) and SPYG (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while SPYG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. AVUQ is actively managed, while SPYG is passively managed. Over the past year, AVUQ returned 21.22% vs 22.88% for SPYG. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVUQ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPYG.

Performance

AVUQ vs. SPYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUQ achieves a 10.29% return, which is significantly lower than SPYG's 10.85% return.

AVUQ

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: 0.39%
• 6M: 8.81%
• YTD: 10.29%
• 1Y: 21.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPYG

• 1D: -1.66%
• 1M: -0.66%
• 6M: 10.35%
• YTD: 10.85%
• 1Y: 22.88%
• 3Y*: 24.76%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 17.54%

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

AVUQ vs. SPYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	10.29%	21.84%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	10.85%	29.61%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUQ and SPYG 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.96

The correlation between AVUQ and SPYG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUQ vs. SPYG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUQ	SPYG
Technology	48.7%	52.0%
Consumer Cyclical	14.2%	8.5%
Communication Services	11.8%	15.9%
Industrials	7.6%	5.2%
Financial Services	5.4%	8.9%
Healthcare	5.4%	6.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	1.0%
Energy	2.2%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.2%	0.4%
Utilities	0.7%	1.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.6%

Return for Risk

AVUQ vs. SPYG — 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: 45
AVUQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
AVUQ Omega Ratio Rank: 42
AVUQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
AVUQ Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SPYG

SPYG Risk / Return Rank: 44
SPYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SPYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SPYG Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SPYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
SPYG Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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. SPYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). 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	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.31	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	1.86	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.23	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	1.67	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.83	6.38	+0.45

AVUQ vs. SPYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the SPYG Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUQ and SPYG, 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. SPYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUQ drawdown since its inception was -12.35%, smaller than the maximum SPYG drawdown of -67.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUQ and SPYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUQ	SPYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.35%	-67.63%	+55.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.61%	-13.76%	+2.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.14%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.67%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.80%	-3.65%	+1.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.19%	-24.23%	+22.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	3.59%	-0.48%

Volatility

AVUQ vs. SPYG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) is 4.66%, while State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) has a volatility of 5.72%. This indicates that AVUQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUQ	SPYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.66%	5.72%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.83%	14.41%	-1.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.25%	17.57%	-1.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.40%	21.43%	-2.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.40%	20.74%	-1.34%

AVUQ vs. SPYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUQ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYG's 0.04% 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

AVUQ vs. SPYG - Dividend Comparison

AVUQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, less than SPYG's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	0.30%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.49%	0.52%	0.60%	1.15%	1.03%	0.62%	0.90%	1.37%	1.51%	1.41%	1.55%	1.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUQ and SPYG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, AVUQ and SPYG 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 SPYG?

SPYG has higher volatility (5.72%) compared to AVUQ (4.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUQ dropped -12.35% vs SPYG's -67.63%.

Which ETF is better, AVUQ or SPYG?

On 1-year performance, SPYG leads with 22.88% vs 21.22% for AVUQ. On fees, SPYG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, AVUQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUQ or SPYG?

Over the 1-year period, SPYG has performed better with a 22.88% return vs 21.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUQ or SPYG?

SPYG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AVUQ.

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

SPYG has the higher dividend yield at 0.49%, compared with 0.30% for AVUQ.

What is the main difference between AVUQ and SPYG?

AVUQ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPYG is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVUQ and 0.04% for SPYG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs 1.31), 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.