AVUV vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. AVUV is actively managed, while VGUS is passively managed. Over the past year, AVUV returned 38.52% vs 3.86% for VGUS. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. AVUV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

AVUV vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUV achieves a 21.53% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.62% return.

AVUV

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

VGUS

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 1.69%
• 1Y: 3.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AVUV vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	21.53%	6.38%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.62%	3.78%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUV and VGUS is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2025	-0.18

Return for Risk

AVUV vs. VGUS — 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

VGUS

VGUS Risk / Return Rank: 100
VGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). 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	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	11.90	-9.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	34.19	-31.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	10.52	-9.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.87	53.32	-48.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.43	403.62	-389.19

AVUV vs. VGUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is lower than the VGUS Sharpe Ratio of 11.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUV and VGUS, 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. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUV drawdown since its inception was -49.42%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUV and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUV	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.42%	-0.07%	-49.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.95%	-0.07%	-7.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.79%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	0.00%	-0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.89%	-0.00%	-7.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	0.01%	+2.67%

Volatility

AVUV vs. VGUS - Volatility Comparison

Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) has a higher volatility of 4.28% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) at 0.07%. This indicates that AVUV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUV	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.28%	0.07%	+4.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.40%	0.18%	+11.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.62%	0.33%	+17.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.64%	0.34%	+22.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.21%	0.34%	+27.87%

AVUV vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% 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. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, less than VGUS's 3.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.27%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.60%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUV and VGUS in my portfolio?

AVUV and VGUS have a correlation of -0.12, 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 VGUS?

AVUV has higher volatility (4.28%) compared to VGUS (0.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUV dropped -49.42% vs VGUS's -0.07%.

Which ETF is better, AVUV or VGUS?

On 1-year performance, AVUV leads with 38.52% vs 3.86% for VGUS. On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VGUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUV or VGUS?

Over the 1-year period, AVUV has performed better with a 38.52% return vs 3.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUV or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for AVUV.

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

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.60%, compared with 1.27% for AVUV.

What is the main difference between AVUV and VGUS?

AVUV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVUV and 0.07% for VGUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.90 vs 2.20), 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.