CATF vs. AVEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CATF (American Century California Municipal Bond ETF) and AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CATF is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by American Century, while AVEM is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. CATF is actively managed, while AVEM is passively managed. Over the past year, CATF returned 7.98% vs 55.00% for AVEM. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CATF charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AVEM.

Performance

CATF vs. AVEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century California Municipal Bond ETF (CATF) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CATF achieves a 1.92% return, which is significantly lower than AVEM's 27.59% return.

CATF

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 1.92%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 7.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVEM

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 8.65%
• YTD: 27.59%
• 6M: 29.75%
• 1Y: 55.00%
• 3Y*: 26.07%
• 5Y*: 9.92%
• 10Y*: —

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

CATF vs. AVEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CATF American Century California Municipal Bond ETF	1.92%	3.78%	0.66%
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	27.59%	34.48%	-2.24%

Correlation

The correlation between CATF and AVEM is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2024	0.13

Return for Risk

CATF vs. AVEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

CATF

CATF Risk / Return Rank: 74
CATF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
CATF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
CATF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
CATF Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
CATF Martin Ratio Rank: 58

AVEM

AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 82
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

CATF vs. AVEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century California Municipal Bond ETF (CATF) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). 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.

	CATF	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.84	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.89	3.65	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.51	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	4.21	-1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.17	16.70	-6.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CATF vs. AVEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CATF Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the AVEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CATF and AVEM, 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

	CATF	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	2.84	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.66	+0.14

Drawdowns

CATF vs. AVEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CATF drawdown since its inception was -4.83%, smaller than the maximum AVEM drawdown of -36.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CATF and AVEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	CATF	AVEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.83%	-36.05%	+31.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.77%	-13.13%	+10.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.02%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-1.39%	+0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.27%	-10.09%	+8.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.79%	3.30%	-2.51%

Volatility

CATF vs. AVEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century California Municipal Bond ETF (CATF) is 1.06%, while Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) has a volatility of 8.33%. This indicates that CATF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CATF	AVEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.06%	8.33%	-7.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.18%	16.72%	-14.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.14%	19.45%	-16.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.33%	18.34%	-14.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.33%	20.55%	-16.22%

CATF vs. AVEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

CATF has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is lower than AVEM's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

CATF vs. AVEM - Dividend Comparison

CATF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, more than AVEM's 1.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.98%	2.45%	3.17%	3.06%	2.77%	2.61%	1.60%	0.35%
CATF American Century California Municipal Bond ETF	3.22%	3.40%	1.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CATF and AVEM in my portfolio?

CATF and AVEM have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CATF or AVEM?

AVEM has higher volatility (8.33%) compared to CATF (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CATF dropped -4.83% vs AVEM's -36.05%.

Which ETF is better, CATF or AVEM?

On 1-year performance, AVEM leads with 55.00% vs 7.98% for CATF. On fees, CATF is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, CATF has been the lower-risk option at 1.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CATF or AVEM?

Over the 1-year period, AVEM has performed better with a 55.00% return vs 7.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CATF or AVEM?

CATF is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for AVEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CATF or AVEM?

CATF has the higher dividend yield at 3.22%, compared with 1.98% for AVEM.

What is the main difference between CATF and AVEM?

CATF is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while AVEM is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for CATF and 0.33% for AVEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 2.55), 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.