AVUV vs. VSMAX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) and VSMAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - AVUV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while VSMAX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. AVUV is actively managed, while VSMAX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUV returned 11.57%/yr vs 6.83%/yr for VSMAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVUV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSMAX.

Performance

AVUV vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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 VSMAX's 14.59% return.

AVUV

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

VSMAX

• 1D: 2.58%
• 1M: 3.08%
• YTD: 14.59%
• 6M: 12.93%
• 1Y: 27.91%
• 3Y*: 16.37%
• 5Y*: 6.83%
• 10Y*: 11.48%

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

AVUV vs. VSMAX - 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%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	14.59%	8.83%	14.23%	18.17%	-17.61%	17.74%	19.06%	6.94%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUV and VSMAX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.91

The correlation between AVUV and VSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUV vs. VSMAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUV	VSMAX
Financial Services	25.8%	12.6%
Energy	18.2%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	18.0%	11.3%
Industrials	13.9%	20.8%
Technology	7.0%	17.2%
Basic Materials	4.9%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	3.4%
Healthcare	4.2%	11.1%
Communication Services	2.8%	3.1%
Real Estate	0.7%	7.6%
Utilities	0.1%	3.3%

Return for Risk

AVUV vs. VSMAX — 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

VSMAX

VSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 62
VSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VSMAX 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. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.67	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	2.39	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.29	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.06	3.11	+1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.09	11.42	+3.67

AVUV vs. VSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the VSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUV and VSMAX, 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. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUV drawdown since its inception was -49.42%, smaller than the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUV and VSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUV	VSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.42%	-59.68%	+10.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.95%	-8.97%	+1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.79%	-25.25%	-3.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.79%	-28.14%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.32%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.91%	-9.68%	+1.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	2.44%	+0.23%

Volatility

AVUV vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) is 4.53%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) has a volatility of 5.47%. This indicates that AVUV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUV	VSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.53%	5.47%	-0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.34%	12.32%	-0.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.63%	16.69%	+0.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.75%	20.77%	+1.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.26%	21.59%	+6.67%

AVUV vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMAX's 0.05% 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. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison

AVUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, more than VSMAX's 1.19% 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%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.19%	1.33%	1.30%	1.56%	1.54%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.49%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUV and VSMAX in my portfolio?

AVUV and VSMAX have a correlation of 0.88, 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 VSMAX?

VSMAX has higher volatility (5.47%) compared to AVUV (4.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUV dropped -49.42% vs VSMAX's -59.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.67), 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.