AVUSX vs. VSMPX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

AVUSX (Avantis U.S. Equity Fund) and VSMPX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, AVUSX returned 12.24%/yr vs 11.63%/yr for VSMPX. Their 0.98 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. AVUSX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VSMPX.

Performance

AVUSX vs. VSMPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Equity Fund (AVUSX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSMPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUSX achieves a 14.37% return, which is significantly higher than VSMPX's 9.88% return.

AVUSX

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: -0.08%
• 6M: 10.42%
• YTD: 14.37%
• 1Y: 26.73%
• 3Y*: 18.75%
• 5Y*: 12.24%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.54%

VSMPX

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: -0.78%
• 6M: 8.16%
• YTD: 9.88%
• 1Y: 21.12%
• 3Y*: 18.60%
• 5Y*: 11.63%
• 10Y*: 14.49%
• ALL TIME*: 14.62%

*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)
AVUSX Avantis U.S. Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSMPX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

AVUSX vs. VSMPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUSX Avantis U.S. Equity Fund	14.37%	16.44%	20.02%	21.44%	-14.42%	27.48%	18.65%	4.06%
VSMPX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	9.88%	17.15%	23.26%	26.53%	-19.50%	25.74%	21.01%	4.42%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUSX and VSMPX 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 Dec 4, 2019	0.98

The correlation between AVUSX and VSMPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AVUSX vs. VSMPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUSX

AVUSX Risk / Return Rank: 84
AVUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AVUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
AVUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
AVUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
AVUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

VSMPX

VSMPX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VSMPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VSMPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VSMPX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VSMPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VSMPX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

AVUSX vs. VSMPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Equity Fund (AVUSX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSMPX). 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.

	AVUSX	VSMPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	1.43	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	2.01	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.26	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.26	2.10	+1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.27	9.09	+5.17

AVUSX vs. VSMPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is higher than the VSMPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUSX and VSMPX, 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

AVUSX vs. VSMPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUSX drawdown since its inception was -36.23%, roughly equal to the maximum VSMPX drawdown of -34.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUSX and VSMPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUSX	VSMPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.23%	-34.97%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.48%	-8.92%	+1.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.61%	-19.36%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.62%	-25.35%	+2.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.16%	-1.89%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.18%	-4.55%	-0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.71%	2.06%	-0.35%

Volatility

AVUSX vs. VSMPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis U.S. Equity Fund (AVUSX) is 3.21%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSMPX) has a volatility of 3.41%. This indicates that AVUSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSMPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUSX	VSMPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.21%	3.41%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.67%	10.27%	-0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.75%	13.13%	-0.38%
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	20.78%	18.41%	+2.37%

AVUSX vs. VSMPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUSX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMPX'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

AVUSX vs. VSMPX - Dividend Comparison

AVUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, more than VSMPX's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
AVUSX Avantis U.S. Equity Fund	2.31%	2.64%	1.36%	1.19%	1.63%	0.92%	0.94%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSMPX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	1.07%	1.13%	1.27%	1.43%	1.67%	1.22%	1.43%	1.78%	2.05%	1.73%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUSX and VSMPX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, AVUSX and VSMPX 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, AVUSX or VSMPX?

VSMPX has higher volatility (3.41%) compared to AVUSX (3.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUSX dropped -36.23% vs VSMPX's -34.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.43), 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.