AVUS vs. SWPPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) and SWPPX (Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. AVUS is actively managed, while SWPPX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUS returned 13.04%/yr vs 14.26%/yr for SWPPX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SWPPX.

Performance

AVUS vs. SWPPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX). 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 higher than SWPPX's 11.69% return.

AVUS

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

SWPPX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 5.83%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.71%
• 1Y: 28.97%
• 3Y*: 22.73%
• 5Y*: 14.26%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

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

AVUS vs. SWPPX - 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%
SWPPX Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund	11.69%	17.87%	24.96%	26.26%	-18.14%	28.67%	18.38%	9.05%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUS and SWPPX is 0.96 - 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	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.95

The correlation between AVUS and SWPPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUS vs. SWPPX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUS	SWPPX
Technology	27.5%	35.6%
Financial Services	15.2%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	10.1%
Industrials	11.5%	8.3%
Communication Services	9.8%	11.2%
Energy	7.4%	3.5%
Healthcare	7.1%	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	4.9%
Basic Materials	2.7%	1.8%
Utilities	2.5%	2.4%
Real Estate	0.2%	1.9%

Return for Risk

AVUS vs. SWPPX — 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

SWPPX

SWPPX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SWPPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SWPPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SWPPX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SWPPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SWPPX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. SWPPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX). 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	SWPPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	2.52	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.66	3.41	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.46	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.14	3.36	+0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.85	15.67	+3.17
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. SWPPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is comparable to the SWPPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUS and SWPPX, 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	SWPPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.68	2.52	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.85	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.51	+0.28

Drawdowns

AVUS vs. SWPPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUS drawdown since its inception was -37.04%, smaller than the maximum SWPPX drawdown of -55.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUS and SWPPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUS	SWPPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.04%	-55.06%	+18.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-8.89%	+1.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.74%	-18.74%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.19%	-24.51%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.80%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	0.00%	-0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.09%	-9.95%	+4.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	1.90%	-0.18%

Volatility

AVUS vs. SWPPX - Volatility Comparison

Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) has a higher volatility of 2.98% compared to Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX) at 2.83%. This indicates that AVUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SWPPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUS	SWPPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	2.83%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.00%	8.98%	+0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.15%	11.87%	+0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.29%	16.93%	+0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.85%	18.23%	+2.62%

AVUS vs. SWPPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SWPPX's 0.02% 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. SWPPX - Dividend Comparison

AVUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than SWPPX's 0.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	0.91%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SWPPX Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund	0.99%	1.11%	1.23%	1.43%	1.67%	1.27%	1.81%	1.95%	2.67%	1.79%	2.55%	3.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUS and SWPPX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, AVUS and SWPPX 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 SWPPX?

AVUS has higher volatility (2.98%) compared to SWPPX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUS dropped -37.04% vs SWPPX's -55.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 2.52), 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.