AVUS vs. ITOT

Last updated Jul 31, 2026

AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. AVUS is actively managed, while ITOT is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUS returned 12.64%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for ITOT. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. AVUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

AVUS vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUS achieves a 14.06% return, which is significantly higher than ITOT's 9.92% return.

AVUS

• 1D: 1.68%
• 1M: -0.94%
• 6M: 9.63%
• YTD: 14.06%
• 1Y: 23.90%
• 3Y*: 18.84%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.02%

ITOT

• 1D: 1.64%
• 1M: -0.99%
• 6M: 7.72%
• YTD: 9.92%
• 1Y: 18.53%
• 3Y*: 18.58%
• 5Y*: 11.62%
• 10Y*: 14.45%
• ALL TIME*: 10.53%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	$38.04M	$39.21M	$43.08M
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	$227.08M	$237.60M	$308.28M

AVUS vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	14.06%	16.68%	20.43%	21.77%	-13.82%	28.73%	17.58%	8.55%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	9.92%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	20.71%	8.51%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUS and ITOT is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.97

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

AVUS vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUS	ITOT
Technology	29.3%	36.4%
Financial Services	16.2%	11.9%
Industrials	11.1%	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	11.0%	9.5%
Communication Services	8.5%	9.1%
Healthcare	7.3%	9.5%
Energy	7.1%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	4.3%
Basic Materials	2.7%	1.9%
Utilities	2.4%	2.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	2.3%

Return for Risk

AVUS vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AVUS

AVUS Risk / Return Rank: 84
AVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
AVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 81
AVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
AVUS Martin Ratio Rank: 90

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 65
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 61
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AVUS vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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.

	AVUS	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.42	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	1.99	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.25	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	2.09	+0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.47	8.96	+4.51

AVUS vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is higher than the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUS and ITOT, 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

AVUS vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUS drawdown since its inception was -37.04%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUS and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUS	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.04%	-55.20%	+18.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-8.90%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.74%	-19.44%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.19%	-25.36%	+3.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.27%	-1.92%	+0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.00%	-6.93%	+1.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	2.08%	-0.30%

Volatility

AVUS vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) have volatilities of 3.36% and 3.46%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUS	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.36%	3.46%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.92%	10.26%	-0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.94%	13.13%	-0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.33%	17.47%	-0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.72%	18.26%	+2.46%

AVUS vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT'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

AVUS vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

AVUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than ITOT's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	0.93%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUS and ITOT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, AVUS and ITOT 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, AVUS or ITOT?

ITOT has higher volatility (3.46%) compared to AVUS (3.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUS dropped -37.04% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, AVUS or ITOT?

On 5-year performance, AVUS leads with 12.64% vs 11.62% for ITOT. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, AVUS has been the lower-risk option at 3.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUS or ITOT?

Over the 5-year period, AVUS has performed better with a 12.64% return vs 11.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUS or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AVUS.

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

ITOT has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.93% for AVUS.

What is the main difference between AVUS and ITOT?

They also come from different issuers: Avantis and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVUS and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.42), 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.