AVUV vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. AVUV is actively managed, while VFIAX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUV returned 11.59%/yr vs 13.41%/yr for VFIAX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AVUV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

AVUV vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUV achieves a 21.54% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 9.13% return.

AVUV

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: 5.44%
• YTD: 21.54%
• 6M: 18.43%
• 1Y: 40.75%
• 3Y*: 19.22%
• 5Y*: 11.59%
• 10Y*: —

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 9.13%
• 6M: 9.63%
• 1Y: 25.78%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 13.41%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

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

AVUV vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	21.54%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.54%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	9.13%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	8.79%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUV and VFIAX is 0.65, 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	0.65
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	0.72

The correlation between AVUV and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUV vs. VFIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUV	VFIAX
Financial Services	26.1%	11.6%
Consumer Cyclical	18.7%	10.2%
Energy	15.8%	3.5%
Industrials	13.6%	8.3%
Technology	7.4%	35.7%
Basic Materials	5.1%	1.8%
Healthcare	4.8%	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.9%
Communication Services	3.1%	11.3%
Real Estate	0.7%	1.9%
Utilities	0.1%	2.4%

Return for Risk

AVUV vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 83
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 77
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VFIAX 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. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.98	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.30	2.69	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.36	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.15	2.75	+2.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.34	12.49	+2.85

AVUV vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUV and VFIAX, 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. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUV drawdown since its inception was -49.42%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUV and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUV	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.42%	-55.20%	+5.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.95%	-8.90%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.79%	-18.75%	-10.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.79%	-24.53%	-4.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.96%	-2.29%	+1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.91%	-9.39%	+1.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	1.96%	+0.70%

Volatility

AVUV vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) has a higher volatility of 4.66% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 4.42%. This indicates that AVUV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUV	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.66%	4.42%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.37%	9.69%	+1.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.62%	12.37%	+5.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.75%	16.97%	+5.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.25%	18.09%	+10.16%

AVUV vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% 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. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, more than VFIAX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.62%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.04%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUV and VFIAX in my portfolio?

AVUV and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.65, 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 VFIAX?

AVUV has higher volatility (4.66%) compared to VFIAX (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUV dropped -49.42% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 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.