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AVUV vs. QUAL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AVUV vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. AVUV is actively managed, while QUAL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUV returned 11.57%/yr vs 11.97%/yr for QUAL. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AVUV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

AVUV vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUV achieves a 22.73% return, which is significantly higher than QUAL's 9.44% return.

AVUV

1D
0.96%
1M
5.11%
YTD
22.73%
6M
19.51%
1Y
42.12%
3Y*
19.24%
5Y*
11.57%
10Y*
—

QUAL

1D
0.47%
1M
2.14%
YTD
9.44%
6M
9.29%
1Y
22.87%
3Y*
19.30%
5Y*
11.97%
10Y*
14.46%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AVUV vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
AVUV
Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF		22.73%7.44%9.28%22.82%-4.91%42.20%6.43%8.54%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		9.44%12.65%22.29%30.88%-20.50%26.94%17.04%9.72%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUV and QUAL is 0.71, 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

0.71

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.66

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.71

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019

0.71

The correlation between AVUV and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUV vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
AVUV
QUAL

Financial Services

26.1%
10.8%

Consumer Cyclical

18.7%
9.3%

Energy

15.8%
3.2%

Industrials

13.6%
7.2%

Technology

7.4%
38.8%

Basic Materials

5.1%
1.9%

Healthcare

4.8%
8.7%

Consumer Defensive

4.7%
4.4%

Communication Services

3.1%
11.8%

Real Estate

0.7%
1.8%

Utilities

0.1%
2.1%

Financial Services

AVUV
26.1%
QUAL
10.8%

Consumer Cyclical

AVUV
18.7%
QUAL
9.3%

Energy

AVUV
15.8%
QUAL
3.2%

Industrials

AVUV
13.6%
QUAL
7.2%

Technology

AVUV
7.4%
QUAL
38.8%

Basic Materials

AVUV
5.1%
QUAL
1.9%

Healthcare

AVUV
4.8%
QUAL
8.7%

Consumer Defensive

AVUV
4.7%
QUAL
4.4%

Communication Services

AVUV
3.1%
QUAL
11.8%

Real Estate

AVUV
0.7%
QUAL
1.8%

Utilities

AVUV
0.1%
QUAL
2.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

Often compared with AVUV:
AVUV vs. VBRAVUV vs. VTIAVUV vs. IWMAVUV vs. IJRAVUV vs. DFSVAVUV vs. VIOVAVUV vs. AVUVX
Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

AVUV vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
AVUV
AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8383
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 8484
Sortino Ratio Rank
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 8585
Martin Ratio Rank
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
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. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.

AVUVQUALDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.28
1.74

+0.55

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.24
2.46

+0.78

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.31

+0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

5.06

2.32

+2.74

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

15.09

10.60

+4.49

AVUV vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUV and QUAL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

AVUV vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUV drawdown since its inception was -49.42%, which is greater than QUAL's maximum drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUV and QUAL.

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Drawdown Indicators

AVUVQUALDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-49.42%

-34.06%

-15.36%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.95%

-9.03%

+1.08%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.79%

-18.00%

-10.79%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.79%

-28.23%

-0.56%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-34.06%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.19%

+0.19%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.91%

-4.10%

-3.81%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.67%

1.99%

+0.68%

Volatility

AVUV vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) has a higher volatility of 4.53% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 3.63%. This indicates that AVUV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

AVUVQUALDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.53%

3.63%

+0.90%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.34%

9.43%

+1.91%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.63%

12.10%

+5.53%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.75%

17.36%

+5.39%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

28.26%

18.11%

+10.15%

AVUV vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% 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

AVUV vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, more than QUAL's 0.87% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		0.87%0.94%1.02%1.23%1.59%1.20%1.39%1.60%2.00%1.76%1.96%1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

AVUV and QUAL have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

AVUV has higher volatility (4.53%) compared to QUAL (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUV dropped -49.42% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

On 5-year performance, QUAL leads with 11.97% vs 11.57% for AVUV. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 11.97% return vs 11.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AVUV.

AVUV has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 0.87% for QUAL.

AVUV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVUV and 0.15% for QUAL.

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.74), 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.

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