BRUSX vs. AVUV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BRUSX (Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund) and AVUV (Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, BRUSX returned 2.63%/yr vs 10.71%/yr for AVUV. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BRUSX charges 1.26%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AVUV.

Performance

BRUSX vs. AVUV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRUSX achieves a 10.33% return, which is significantly lower than AVUV's 17.96% return.

BRUSX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 3.14%
• YTD: 10.33%
• 6M: 10.83%
• 1Y: 28.90%
• 3Y*: 16.22%
• 5Y*: 2.63%
• 10Y*: 9.35%

AVUV

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 17.96%
• 6M: 17.23%
• 1Y: 36.48%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 10.71%
• 10Y*: —

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

BRUSX vs. AVUV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BRUSX Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund	10.33%	7.13%	17.57%	18.14%	-10.99%	13.85%	33.43%	5.11%
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	17.96%	7.44%	9.28%	22.82%	-4.91%	42.20%	6.43%	8.50%

Correlation

The correlation between BRUSX and AVUV is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.81

The correlation between BRUSX and AVUV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BRUSX vs. AVUV — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRUSX

BRUSX Risk / Return Rank: 28
BRUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
BRUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
BRUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
BRUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
BRUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

AVUV

AVUV Risk / Return Rank: 67
AVUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
AVUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
AVUV Omega Ratio Rank: 58
AVUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
AVUV Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

BRUSX vs. AVUV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund (BRUSX) and Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV). 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.

	BRUSX	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	2.10	-0.65
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	3.02	-0.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.36	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	4.61	-2.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.78	13.69	-6.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRUSX vs. AVUV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRUSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is lower than the AVUV Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRUSX and AVUV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BRUSX	AVUV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45	2.10	-0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.47	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.56	-0.05

Drawdowns

BRUSX vs. AVUV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRUSX drawdown since its inception was -60.38%, which is greater than AVUV's maximum drawdown of -49.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRUSX and AVUV.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRUSX	AVUV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.38%	-49.42%	-10.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.87%	-7.95%	-4.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.73%	-28.79%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.83%	-28.79%	-11.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.77%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-1.12%	+0.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.55%	-7.95%	-5.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.58%	2.67%	+1.91%

Volatility

BRUSX vs. AVUV - Volatility Comparison

Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund (BRUSX) has a higher volatility of 4.57% compared to Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) at 4.08%. This indicates that BRUSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVUV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRUSX	AVUV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	4.08%	+0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.57%	11.34%	+2.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.43%	17.54%	+3.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.23%	22.74%	+0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.35%	28.30%	-4.95%

BRUSX vs. AVUV - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRUSX has a 1.26% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRUSX vs. AVUV - Dividend Comparison

BRUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.57%, more than AVUV's 1.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVUV Avantis US Small Cap Value ETF	1.29%	1.58%	1.61%	1.65%	1.74%	1.28%	1.21%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BRUSX Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Fund	9.57%	10.56%	2.46%	4.97%	18.41%	7.70%	1.53%	1.14%	13.87%	1.99%	1.12%	1.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRUSX and AVUV in my portfolio?

BRUSX and AVUV have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRUSX or AVUV?

BRUSX has higher volatility (4.57%) compared to AVUV (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRUSX dropped -60.38% vs AVUV's -49.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.45), 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.