AVUS vs. AVEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) and AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Century, while AVEM is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. AVUS is actively managed, while AVEM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUS returned 13.04%/yr vs 9.92%/yr for AVEM. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AVUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AVEM.

Performance

AVUS vs. AVEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUS achieves a 14.42% return, which is significantly lower than AVEM's 27.59% return.

AVUS

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 14.42%
• 6M: 14.71%
• 1Y: 32.34%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: —

AVEM

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 8.65%
• YTD: 27.59%
• 6M: 29.75%
• 1Y: 55.00%
• 3Y*: 26.07%
• 5Y*: 9.92%
• 10Y*: —

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

AVUS vs. AVEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	14.42%	16.68%	20.43%	21.77%	-13.82%	28.73%	17.58%	8.87%
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	27.59%	34.48%	7.49%	15.30%	-18.15%	5.16%	14.39%	11.86%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUS and AVEM is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.69

The correlation between AVUS and AVEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUS vs. AVEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUS	AVEM
Technology	27.5%	32.3%
Financial Services	15.2%	20.7%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	9.2%
Industrials	11.5%	9.2%
Communication Services	9.8%	5.4%
Energy	7.4%	5.1%
Healthcare	7.1%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	3.1%
Basic Materials	2.7%	8.1%
Utilities	2.5%	2.6%
Real Estate	0.2%	1.6%

Return for Risk

AVUS vs. AVEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUS

AVUS Risk / Return Rank: 81
AVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 79
AVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AVUS Martin Ratio Rank: 86

AVEM

AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 82
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

AVUS vs. AVEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). 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.

	AVUS	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	2.84	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.66	3.65	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.51	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.14	4.21	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.85	16.70	+2.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVUS vs. AVEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is comparable to the AVEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUS and AVEM, 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

	AVUS	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.68	2.84	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.54	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.66	+0.14

Drawdowns

AVUS vs. AVEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUS drawdown since its inception was -37.04%, roughly equal to the maximum AVEM drawdown of -36.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUS and AVEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUS	AVEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.04%	-36.05%	-0.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-13.13%	+5.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.74%	-18.02%	-1.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.19%	-34.00%	+11.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-1.39%	+0.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.09%	-10.09%	+5.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	3.30%	-1.58%

Volatility

AVUS vs. AVEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) is 2.98%, while Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) has a volatility of 8.33%. This indicates that AVUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUS	AVEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	8.33%	-5.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.00%	16.72%	-7.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.15%	19.45%	-7.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.29%	18.34%	-1.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.85%	20.55%	+0.30%

AVUS vs. AVEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than AVEM's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVUS vs. AVEM - Dividend Comparison

AVUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than AVEM's 1.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.98%	2.45%	3.17%	3.06%	2.77%	2.61%	1.60%	0.35%
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	0.91%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUS and AVEM in my portfolio?

AVUS and AVEM have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVUS or AVEM?

AVEM has higher volatility (8.33%) compared to AVUS (2.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUS dropped -37.04% vs AVEM's -36.05%.

Which ETF is better, AVUS or AVEM?

On 5-year performance, AVUS leads with 13.04% vs 9.92% for AVEM. On fees, AVUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AVUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUS or AVEM?

Over the 5-year period, AVUS has performed better with a 13.04% return vs 9.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUS or AVEM?

AVUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for AVEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVUS or AVEM?

AVEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.98%, compared with 0.91% for AVUS.

What is the main difference between AVUS and AVEM?

AVUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while AVEM is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVUS and 0.33% for AVEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 2.68), 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.