AVUV vs. SPSM

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) and SPSM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while SPSM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. AVUV is actively managed, while SPSM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUV returned 11.66%/yr vs 6.58%/yr for SPSM. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVUV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPSM.

Performance

AVUV vs. SPSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with AVUV having a 21.53% return and SPSM slightly lower at 20.66%.

AVUV

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 2.99%
• YTD: 21.53%
• 6M: 19.38%
• 1Y: 38.52%
• 3Y*: 20.29%
• 5Y*: 11.66%
• 10Y*: —

SPSM

• 1D: 1.12%
• 1M: 5.43%
• YTD: 20.66%
• 6M: 17.75%
• 1Y: 34.79%
• 3Y*: 16.69%
• 5Y*: 6.58%
• 10Y*: 11.60%

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

AVUV vs. SPSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	21.53%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.54%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	20.66%	6.11%	8.55%	16.11%	-16.12%	26.67%	11.69%	7.69%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUV and SPSM is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.96

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

AVUV vs. SPSM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUV	SPSM
Financial Services	26.1%	16.5%
Consumer Cyclical	18.7%	13.1%
Energy	15.8%	5.4%
Industrials	13.6%	15.2%
Technology	7.4%	17.1%
Basic Materials	5.1%	5.0%
Healthcare	4.8%	11.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	3.6%
Communication Services	3.1%	3.7%
Real Estate	0.7%	7.6%
Utilities	0.1%	1.9%

Return for Risk

AVUV vs. SPSM — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 79
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 71
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 81

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 73
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. SPSM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). 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	SPSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	1.98	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	2.86	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.34	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.87	4.01	+0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.43	13.53	+0.90

AVUV vs. SPSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the SPSM Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUV and SPSM, 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. SPSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUV drawdown since its inception was -49.42%, which is greater than SPSM's maximum drawdown of -42.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUV and SPSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUV	SPSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.42%	-42.89%	-6.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.95%	-8.72%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.79%	-27.94%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.79%	-27.94%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	0.00%	-0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.89%	-7.89%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	2.58%	+0.10%

Volatility

AVUV vs. SPSM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) is 4.28%, while State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) has a volatility of 4.98%. This indicates that AVUV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPSM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUV	SPSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.28%	4.98%	-0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.40%	12.08%	-0.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.62%	17.64%	-0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.64%	21.42%	+1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.21%	22.99%	+5.22%

AVUV vs. SPSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than SPSM's 0.03% 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. SPSM - Dividend Comparison

AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, less than SPSM's 1.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.27%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	1.40%	1.62%	1.85%	1.61%	1.38%	1.40%	1.34%	1.58%	1.82%	1.51%	1.49%	2.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUV and SPSM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, AVUV and SPSM 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, AVUV or SPSM?

SPSM has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to AVUV (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUV dropped -49.42% vs SPSM's -42.89%.

Which ETF is better, AVUV or SPSM?

On 5-year performance, AVUV leads with 11.66% vs 6.58% for SPSM. On fees, SPSM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, AVUV has been the lower-risk option at 4.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUV or SPSM?

Over the 5-year period, AVUV has performed better with a 11.66% return vs 6.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUV or SPSM?

SPSM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AVUV.

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

SPSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.40%, compared with 1.27% for AVUV.

What is the main difference between AVUV and SPSM?

AVUV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while SPSM is Small Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVUV and 0.03% for SPSM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.98), 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.