AVUV vs. OUNZ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) and OUNZ (VanEck Merk Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while OUNZ is a Precious Metals fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). AVUV is actively managed, while OUNZ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUV returned 10.85%/yr vs 17.72%/yr for OUNZ. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.25% expense ratio.

Performance

AVUV vs. OUNZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUV achieves a 18.87% return, which is significantly higher than OUNZ's 0.29% return.

AVUV

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 18.87%
• 6M: 18.74%
• 1Y: 36.82%
• 3Y*: 18.46%
• 5Y*: 10.85%
• 10Y*: —

OUNZ

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: -8.43%
• YTD: 0.29%
• 6M: 3.12%
• 1Y: 30.33%
• 3Y*: 29.90%
• 5Y*: 17.72%
• 10Y*: 12.64%

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

AVUV vs. OUNZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	18.87%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.50%
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	0.29%	63.95%	26.75%	12.83%	-0.51%	-4.00%	24.71%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUV and OUNZ is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.09

AVUV vs. OUNZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUV	OUNZ
Financial Services	25.8%	-
Energy	18.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	18.0%	-
Industrials	13.9%	-
Technology	7.0%	-
Basic Materials	4.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	-
Healthcare	4.2%	-
Communication Services	2.8%	-
Real Estate	0.7%	100.0%
Utilities	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

AVUV vs. OUNZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 76
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 68
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 79

OUNZ

OUNZ Risk / Return Rank: 34
OUNZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
OUNZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
OUNZ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
OUNZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
OUNZ Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

AVUV vs. OUNZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ). 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.

	AVUV	OUNZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	1.14	+0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	1.53	+1.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.23	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.65	1.52	+3.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.81	3.82	+9.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVUV vs. OUNZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is higher than the OUNZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUV and OUNZ, 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

	AVUV	OUNZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	1.14	+0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.99	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.64	-0.08

Drawdowns

AVUV vs. OUNZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUV drawdown since its inception was -49.42%, which is greater than OUNZ's maximum drawdown of -21.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUV and OUNZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUV	OUNZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.42%	-21.77%	-27.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.95%	-20.00%	+12.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.79%	-20.00%	-8.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.79%	-21.01%	-7.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-19.83%	+19.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.94%	-7.58%	-0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	7.96%	-5.29%

Volatility

AVUV vs. OUNZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) is 4.29%, while VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) has a volatility of 5.67%. This indicates that AVUV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than OUNZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUV	OUNZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.29%	5.67%	-1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.39%	23.29%	-11.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.57%	26.66%	-9.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.75%	17.99%	+4.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.29%	16.00%	+12.29%

AVUV vs. OUNZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AVUV and OUNZ have an expense ratio of 0.25%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AVUV vs. OUNZ - Dividend Comparison

AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, while OUNZ has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.28%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUV and OUNZ in my portfolio?

AVUV and OUNZ have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVUV or OUNZ?

OUNZ has higher volatility (5.67%) compared to AVUV (4.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUV dropped -49.42% vs OUNZ's -21.77%.

Which ETF is better, AVUV or OUNZ?

On 5-year performance, OUNZ leads with 17.72% vs 10.85% for AVUV. Both ETFs have the same 0.25% expense ratio. On volatility, AVUV has been the lower-risk option at 4.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUV or OUNZ?

Over the 5-year period, OUNZ has performed better with a 17.72% return vs 10.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUV or OUNZ?

AVUV and OUNZ have the same expense ratio: 0.25% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVUV or OUNZ?

AVUV has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.00% for OUNZ.

What is the main difference between AVUV and OUNZ?

AVUV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while OUNZ is Precious Metals. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and Merk.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.14), 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.