AVUV vs. PLFMX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) and PLFMX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund) are both funds - AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while PLFMX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. AVUV is actively managed, while PLFMX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUV returned 11.57%/yr vs 12.86%/yr for PLFMX. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AVUV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for PLFMX.

Performance

AVUV vs. PLFMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUV achieves a 22.73% return, which is significantly higher than PLFMX's 8.29% return.

AVUV

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 5.96%
• YTD: 22.73%
• 6M: 19.51%
• 1Y: 40.08%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 11.57%
• 10Y*: —

PLFMX

• 1D: 1.77%
• 1M: -0.59%
• YTD: 8.29%
• 6M: 8.63%
• 1Y: 23.03%
• 3Y*: 20.84%
• 5Y*: 12.86%
• 10Y*: 14.77%

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

AVUV vs. PLFMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	22.73%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.54%
PLFMX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund	8.29%	17.10%	26.06%	25.27%	-18.67%	27.57%	17.46%	9.29%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUV and PLFMX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.71

The correlation between AVUV and PLFMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AVUV vs. PLFMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 84
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 77
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 85

PLFMX

PLFMX Risk / Return Rank: 65
PLFMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
PLFMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
PLFMX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
PLFMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
PLFMX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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. PLFMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX). 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.

	AVUV	PLFMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.91	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	2.59	+0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.35	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.06	2.62	+2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.09	11.86	+3.23

AVUV vs. PLFMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the PLFMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUV and PLFMX, 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

AVUV vs. PLFMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUV drawdown since its inception was -49.42%, smaller than the maximum PLFMX drawdown of -55.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUV and PLFMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUV	PLFMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.42%	-55.62%	+6.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.95%	-9.00%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.79%	-18.83%	-9.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.79%	-24.91%	-3.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.80%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.79%	+2.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.91%	-9.99%	+2.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	1.99%	+0.68%

Volatility

AVUV vs. PLFMX - Volatility Comparison

Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) have volatilities of 4.53% and 4.44%, 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

	AVUV	PLFMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.53%	4.44%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.34%	9.72%	+1.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.63%	12.37%	+5.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.75%	16.99%	+5.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.26%	17.52%	+10.74%

AVUV vs. PLFMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than PLFMX's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVUV vs. PLFMX - Dividend Comparison

AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than PLFMX's 2.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.61%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PLFMX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund	2.22%	2.41%	3.77%	3.62%	2.28%	13.02%	7.02%	3.28%	6.80%	6.44%	2.66%	2.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUV and PLFMX in my portfolio?

AVUV and PLFMX have a correlation of 0.64, 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 PLFMX?

AVUV has higher volatility (4.53%) compared to PLFMX (4.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUV dropped -49.42% vs PLFMX's -55.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.91), 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.